Trey Smith agrees to 4-year, $92 million extension with Chiefs, becomes NFL's highest-paid guard

Just before the franchise tag deadline hit, the Kansas City Chiefs locked down Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith with a record-setting contract. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $94 million extension, a blockbuster deal that includes a whopping $70 million in guaranteed money, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Smith’s new contract not only sets the bar for guards across the league, but it also makes him the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history, both in average annual salary and guaranteed cash. It’s a massive win for the Chiefs’ offensive line, and a well-deserved payday for one of the league’s most dominant interior linemen.

After shipping off veteran guard Joe Thuney, the Chiefs found themselves with limited wiggle room, and they knew it. With Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey forming the backbone of the offensive line, Kansas City had little choice but to prioritize protection for three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Recent seasons have made it crystal clear: if Mahomes is going to keep working his magic, he needs a reliable wall up front.

Luckily for Chiefs Kingdom, the front office got the job done, and in doing so, they helped justify the Thuney move. The new deal for Smith keeps him in KC for the long haul, and fans should be nothing short of ecstatic.

While Smith only notched his first Pro Bowl nod in 2024, his value has never gone unnoticed. Drafted in the sixth round in 2021 out of Tennessee, he quickly became one of the biggest steals in recent memory. Now at just 26 years old, Smith is being rewarded for both his past performances and his sky-high ceiling. With Thuney turning 34, the Chiefs are clearly betting on youth, and Brett Veach has a history of making these gambles pay off.

Had the team lost both Thuney and Smith in the same year, it would've been a disaster. But locking in Smith secures the foundation. He earned just $6.5 million across his rookie contract, and would’ve made $23.4 million under the franchise tag this season, a record figure for a guard. Instead, he cashes in on a well-deserved payday.

By locking in Trey Smith with a new four-year deal, the Chiefs have doubled down on their commitment to building a strong interior offensive line — a vital piece in protecting their franchise quarterback.

Looking ahead, the likely starting five up front includes first-round pick Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Smith, and Jawaan Taylor. While Simmons and Suamataia are still battling it out for starting roles, the foundation is set.

With this group in place, Patrick Mahomes should have a sturdier pocket to operate from, and Kansas City's offense is better positioned to keep rolling.