Chiefs to Franchise Tag Trey Smith: What This Means for the Team’s Future

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a big decision regarding guard Trey Smith. They plan to franchise tag him, ensuring he won’t hit the open market next month.

At just 25 years old, Smith has already established himself as one of the NFL’s top guards. Drafted in the sixth round in 2021, he has played in 67 out of 68 games over four seasons. He didn’t just play during the regular season; he was also a key player in all 13 postseason games, contributing to the team’s victories in Super Bowls LVII and LVIII, and he even started in Super Bowl LIX earlier this month.

His impressive performance earned him the No. 3 spot on Pro Football Talk’s list of the top 100 free agents for 2025. Initially, it was believed that the Chiefs might not franchise Smith, but they’ve decided to go that route, signaling their commitment to him.

Last year, the Chiefs used the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed before trading him. This time, reports suggest that Kansas City hopes to strike a long-term deal with Smith. Pairing him with Joe Thuney at left guard and Creed Humphrey at center could create one of the strongest interior offensive line combinations in the league.

Once Smith signs his franchise tender, he’s set to earn $23.4 million guaranteed for the next year. This move not only secures Smith’s spot with the team but also strengthens the Chiefs’ offensive line as they look to build on their recent successes.

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