NFL Rumors: Trey Smith Contract 'A Priority' for Chiefs Ahead of 2025 Free Agency

Just over two weeks from the start of free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs want to keep star guard Trey Smith.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 7:09 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini noted the Chiefs are making the 25-year-old "a priority" before free agency opens on March 10.

The Chiefs do have the option of placing the franchise tag on Smith, but The Athletic's Nate Taylor reported last week they're unlikely to do so.

Kansas City is somewhat limited financially heading into the offseason, making it difficult to commit so much of the cap to a franchise tag. The projected tag value for offensive linemen is $25.8 million, but the Chiefs have just $7.9 million in cap space right now.

Smith figures to be one of the most sought-after players in free agency if he hits the market. He has started all 67 games he's played in the NFL since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell is predicting the Tennessee product will sign a deal with an average annual salary of $24 million. The highest-paid guard in the NFL is currently Landon Dickerson of the Philadelphia Eagles at $21 million per season. Chris Lindstrom, Robert Hunt and Quenton Nelson are the only other interior offensive linemen making at least $20 million annually.

The Chiefs saw last season how difficult things can be when they don't have good protection for Patrick Mahomes up front. He was sacked a career-high 36 times in the regular season and got bullied in the Super Bowl when the Eagles took him down six times.

Smith has proved himself to be a foundational piece on the offensive line in Kansas City. He's still young and figures to have many excellent years ahead of him.

It will be up to the Chiefs to decide if they can afford to pay Smith while also attempting to address their other issues that were exposed over the course of this season and in the playoffs.