Chiefs Rumors: Bucs FA Donovan Smith Joins Patrick Mahomes with 1-Year, $9M Contract

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly signed veteran offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a one-year, $9 million contract, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The Chiefs have invested heavily in the offensive line over the last several years, signing tackles Smith and Jawaan Taylor (four years, $80 million) this year and guard Joe Thuney (five years, $80 million) in 2021. They also drafted center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith two years ago.

The Chiefs have wisely identified that protecting two-time MVP and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is priority Nos. 1, 2 and 3. In just five seasons as the full-time starter, Mahomes has led the team to two titles, three AFC Championship Games and been a Pro Bowler five times.

Smith should help keep him upright. He'll replace Orlando Brown Jr., who signed a four-year, $64 million deal to protect Joe Burrow in Cincinnati this offseason.

The 29-year-old has spent his entire eight-year career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, missing just six starts in that time. For the past three seasons, he protected Tom Brady's blindside, helping the Bucs reach three straight playoffs.

The move will also allow Taylor to stay on his preferred right side.

The Chiefs also selected Oklahoma offensive tackle Wanya Morris with the No. 92 overall pick and have Lucas Niang and Darian Kinnard on the roster. But general manager Brett Veach indicated that Taylor was the favorite to handle the left tackle duties, at least before Smith's signing.

"I think there'll be a degree of mixing and matching," he told reporters on Monday regarding the offensive line. "I'm sure it's safe to say that as we sit here today, Taylor will be able to go out there and [play] left tackle with the [first team]."

Smith likely will change that calculus and keep Taylor on the right side.

Last season, Smith gave up 35 pressures and six sacks across 661 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus (h/t Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride), battling through an elbow injury. The Chiefs will hope he can fill in at left tackle in the absence of Brown.