The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to use their franchise tag on Guard Trey Smith. This ensures he remains with the team for the 2025 season. This move makes Smith the highest-paid guard in the NFL. It comes after previous reports suggested the team might avoid using the tag this offseason. However, with Smith’s value on the open market, Kansas City prioritized keeping him under contract for at least one more season.
By tagging him, Kansas City has secured one of their top offensive linemen on a fully guaranteed $23.4 million deal. While this guarantees his short-term future in Kansas City, the team remains focused on working out a long-term contract. Negotiations are expected to continue in hopes of locking in Smith for multiple seasons.
Chiefs Use Franchise Tag On Trey Smith
Smith was set to become one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, with several teams expected to pursue him. Instead, the Chiefs made it clear they view him as an essential part of their offensive line. By tagging him, Kansas City took one more step to ensure its offensive front remains intact as they look to sure up the rest of their offense around their superstar Quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
This decision mirrors the team’s past approach with their defensive leader Chris Jones. The franchise tag also provides the team with extra time to negotiate a multi-year extension while preventing Smith from testing free agency. This move is just a stop-gap, while the front office moves toward its ultimate goal which is to finalize a long-term deal that keeps him in Kansas City for years to come.
Why the Chiefs Changed Course
As previous reports suggested, the Chiefs were unlikely to use the franchise tag this year. However, factors like the rising salary cap that was recently announced and Smith’s importance to the offense likely changed General Manager Brett Veach’s mind. With the NFL salary cap surpassing early projections, Kansas City now has more flexibility and can use the tag on the star lineman while still maintaining financial stability to make other moves.
A move like this should not come as a huge surprise given the Chiefs do have a history of adjusting their plans when the market changes. The last time they did something like this was back in 2022 when they initially had planned to extend Tyreek Hill before shifting gears and trading him to the Dolphins before evolving contract demands. Similarly, Smith’s tag designation allows the team to reevaluate its roster construction while keeping a core piece in place.
Long-Term Contract Talks Will Continue
Although Kansas City decided to tag Smith that does not mean they are done negotiating. The team has expressed its desire to keep him beyond 2025 and will continue working on a long-term deal. Smith has been a vital part of the offensive line since entering the league back in 2021, and securing his future remains a top priority for the Chiefs front office.
If an agreement is reached, he would become the latest Chiefs offensive lineman to receive a significant contract. Over the past few seasons, the team has invested heavily in its protection unit, signing Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Jawaan Taylor to lucrative deals. A long-term extension for Smith would further solidify the team’s commitment to maintaining a strong offensive line and protecting their most valuable asset.
Final Thoughts
With the Chiefs using the franchise tag on Smith they ensure stability along their offensive line for another season. They also give themselves enough wiggle room to still go out and make other important moves ahead of the upcoming season. While the tag keeps Smith in Kansas City for now, the team is all in on making sure they keep him as a Chief for many years to come. They hope to secure a deal that will be beneficial to both sides.
If the Chiefs can reach an agreement it will be the latest installment of the Chiefs’ front office making a major investment in the protection of Mahomes. Smith’s presence on this team has been a major reason this team has been able to have the success it had during the Mahomes era. KC’s front office understands that and will do everything they can to make sure they keep Smith in Kansas City for years.
