Trey Smith was informed he will be franchise-tagged by the Chiefs, according to multiple reports, in a move that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid guard while blocking a path to free agency.
NFL teams have until Monday to use the franchise and transition tag designations to retain players scheduled to become free agents next month.
Smith, a Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024, would be guaranteed around $23.4 million for the 2025 season under terms of the franchise tender. The Chiefs and Smith would have until July 15 to come to a long-term contract extension to override the one-year deal.
A sixth-round pick in 2021, Smith has started 80 games — 13 in the playoffs — and is only 25 years old.
The tender is higher than the average salary of the NFL’s current highest-paid guard — Landon Dickerson (Eagles) makes $21 million per season. The Chiefs made Creed Humphrey the highest-paid center in the NFL last August with a four-year, $72 million deal.
Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney is entering the final year of his contract and can become a free agent after the 2025 season. Thuney kicked out to left tackle, where he started in Super Bowl LIX, in an attempt to patch the offensive line late in the year.
Head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week Thuney would be back at his natural guard position in 2025 unless the Chiefs can’t find a solution at left tackle.
