Looking at KC Chiefs' contract extension candidates and what they might get

Trey Smith

Any attention given to the future of the Chiefs offensive line is typically on Creed Humphrey and even Trey Smith is likely to admit that's understandable. After all, Humphrey only needed a few months of experience at the NFL level to be labeled alongside the best at the position. However, Smith himself has a strong case for consideration of a contract extension.

Smith was an unbelievable find for the Chiefs in the sixth round fo the 2021 NFL Draft. His medical red flags at the time have been well-documented in telling his story, but suffice it to say, the Chiefs doctors and trainers were not only right about his ability to stay healthy playing football but the team's scouts knew he had the goods to play as well.

Since being taken in that sixth round, Smith has been a day-one starter for the Chiefs at right guard for the last three seasons—with 50 regular season starts during that span. Up front, he provides a powerful mauling presence for the Chiefs. While he profiles better as a run blocker than a pass blocker, the truth is that he's still growing at both and is an above average starter on the right side all-around.

If not for the presence of Humphrey in the same draft, Smith would be an even much bigger story for the Chiefs and an obvious call for an extension.

What could Smith receive?

Will other teams be reticent to sign Smith on the open market for the same reasons they avoided drafting him? That will be interesting to see how medicals play out four years later. If so that will affect the market and could help the Chiefs (but that would also feel wrong since Smith has looked the part so far without issues in K.C.).

Smith is not an elite player at this point, but he's a very good guard who is exactly the sort of punishing presence and finisher you want up front on the line. That might keep him from hitting Chirs Lindstrom numbers (a.k.a. Joe Thuney money) but Nate Davis sounds about right. Last year, the Titans let Davis his the open market and Chicago offered him a 3-year, $30M deal to change teams. That feels right on a four-year deal for Trey Smith, so we'll stick with a $10M/year range.