Kansas City Chiefs Franchise Tag Trey Smith to Retain Key Offensive Player
The Kansas City Chiefs front office is making strategic moves ahead of the 2025 NFL season, and the latest step involves Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs have placed the franchise tag on Smith, securing him for next season with a $23.4 million, fully guaranteed one-year deal.
This decision is a crucial one for the Chiefs as they focus on keeping their core players intact before free agency begins. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has expressed a commitment to maintaining the team’s core, particularly after the team’s recent success, including winning two Super Bowls. During his press conference at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Veach emphasized his belief that tight end Travis Kelce will return in 2025, signaling continued success for the Chiefs’ offense.
Trey Smith, a standout guard, was drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Despite his relatively late selection, Smith has emerged as a key player on Kansas City’s offensive line. His contributions have played a significant role in the team’s success, and the franchise is eager to ensure he remains a central part of their offense moving forward.
The move to use the Franchise Tag is a little surprising because Chiefs beat writer for The Athletic Nate Taylor told the folks at the Kansas City Sports Network on February 19 that Kansas City was not interested in using the tag – snuffing any speculation about who the team planned on using it on.
With Smith now secured under the franchise tag, the Chiefs can take their time focusing on other positions while also negotiating a long-term contract with Smith’s representatives. If a deal is not agreed upon by July 1, Smith will have to play the 2025 season under the tag. By keeping a vital part of their offensive line, the Chiefs can check off one of their top priorities laid out for them this offseason. But this is only scratching the surface of what is about to be a very busy couple of months for Veach and his staff.
