

The Kansas City Chiefs are walking a tightrope. With the 2025 draft just days away, the front office has yet to sit down at the negotiating table with some of their stars, including George Karlaftis, Trent McDuffie, and, most importantly, right guard Trey Smith.
The Chiefs’ offensive line remains a work in progress, and Smith is one of its most critical components. The right guard plays a vital role in protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and clearing the way for running back Isiah Pacheco.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee and selected by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith is waiting for a long-term contract. For now, the Chiefs have exercised the fifth-year option on Smith’s rookie contract, placing the franchise tag on him to buy time.
The Chiefs want Smith back, but…
The team understands that keeping one of its unsung heroes happy is essential for another Super Bowl run. “There’s no secret that we’d like to get Trey locked up,” general manager Brett Veach stated on April 17.
Smith, for his part, admitted that there have been discussions but added, “We’re just taking it day by day.” Despite his apparent patience, Smith couldn’t hide his preference for guarantees from the team. “I can’t wait to get back to work and focus on being the best version of Trey Smith I can be for our team.”
The loss in Super Bowl LIX also stings. “You know how we fell short of our goals last season and where we wanted to be,” Smith recalled. “So we just gotta focus on that. Everything else will take care of itself.”
That pesky salary cap
The one-year, $23 million extension made Smith the highest-paid guard in the NFL, but it’s not a long-term contract. The Chiefs are aware of this, but it all comes down to a numbers game. With the draft looming and negotiations pending with other key players, the salary cap becomes an unavoidable factor.
Veach is known for his cold, calculated approach to roster management. The departures of stars like Tyreek Hill and L’Jarius Sneed show that the GM isn’t shy about balancing payroll with the team’s strength. Will Smith become another victim of the salary cap? The statements suggest otherwise, but only time will tell.
This news was originally published on this post .
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