Kansas City Chiefs risk sabotaging Patrick Mahomes' Super Bowl hopes by delaying $23 million Trey Smith deal
Chiefs face a July 15 deadline to secure a long-term deal with offensive guard Trey Smith (Getty Images)
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for another high-stakes
NFL
season, one name looms large in the team's offseason strategy:
Trey Smith
. The 25-year-old offensive guard is currently playing under a non-exclusive franchise tag worth $23.4 million.
While that figure ensures Smith's short-term presence, it leaves significant uncertainty for the long-term future of both the player and the franchise.
The franchise tag may not be enough to keep
Patrick Mahomes
protected for long
The Chiefs now face a crucial July 15 deadline to negotiate a long-term deal with Smith. If they fail, he'll play the upcoming season under the hefty one-year tag—without any guarantee of staying beyond it.
Last season's crushing 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX exposed serious flaws in the Chiefs' offensive line.
Despite Patrick Mahomes' brilliance, he was constantly under siege, struggling to make plays as the Eagles' defense dismantled the protection unit.
NFL analyst Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report didn't mince words when he called attention to the issue. 'The Kansas City Chiefs have remained in the Super Bowl picture ever since Patrick Mahomes took over as their starting quarterback. However, offensive deficiencies loomed large during Kansas City's 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX," Knox wrote.
"The Chiefs' offensive line was particularly problematic, as the Eagles defense consistently harassed Mahomes and shut down almost everything Kansas City did offensively.
'
That performance served as a wake-up call. For the Chiefs, the message is clear: Mahomes may be the engine, but without solid protection, even the most elite quarterbacks can be neutralized.
A long-term deal for Trey Smith could define the Chiefs' next chapter
Trey Smith is not just any guard. Since entering the NFL, he's proven to be a foundational piece of Kansas City's offensive front.
Locking him into a multi-year deal would not only provide Mahomes with a trusted protector but also reinforce the team's commitment to offensive excellence.
Knox added, 'Reloading the line is this year's top offseason priority. The remaining work must start with an extension for guard Trey Smith, who is currently set to play on the franchise tag. The Chiefs have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with the 25-year-old, which they have planned to do since giving him the tag.'
Also Read:
'Still going to fear him': Despite lowest stats of career, Travis Kelce gets fierce support from Emmanuel Acho
Fans and analysts agree—relying solely on the franchise tag could backfire. Losing Smith after the 2025 season would be a step backward for a team still chasing greatness. The Chiefs have just weeks to act. The clock is ticking, and so is Mahomes' trust in the line meant to protect him.
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