NFL Rumors: Trey Smith Not Expected to Get Franchise or Transition Tag from Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly going to allow one of their best players to hit the open market this offseason.

Nate Taylor of The Athletic reported that a league source said the Chiefs "are not expected to place the franchise tag or the transition tag on" stalwart guard Trey Smith, who is "expected to be the most coveted offensive lineman this year in free agency."

Taylor noted that Kansas City could choose to offer Smith a long-term contract like it did with center Creed Humphrey, who signed a four-year deal last offseason that included guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026. Taylor said that general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid "should offer Smith a similar contract, one that makes him one of the league’s highest-paid guards."

Smith earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2024 after appearing in all 17 games for the second straight year and not allowing a sack all year across 655 pass-blocking snaps. He also drew just two penalties, the lowest single-season total of his four-year career after entering the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Smith's $3.4 million salary for the 2024 season was well below his pay grade. Comparatively, the league's highest-paid guard this past year was Philadelphia Eagles veteran Landon Dickerson at $21 million. Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons ranked second with a salary of $20.5 million, while Robert Hunt of the Miami Dolphins and Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts tied for third at $20 million.

It won't be easy for the Chiefs to stave off other teams that are hoping to land Smith this offseason on a big-money contract. However, if Kansas City offers him a major payday, he could choose to run it back after the team fell short of completing a three-peat by losing to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.