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After losing Super Bowl LV to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Kansas City Chiefs made it a point of emphasis to reduce the average age of their roster and rebuild their offensive line to better protect franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Within two seasons, the Chiefs were back on top -- and they went on to defend their Super Bowl title in the 2023 season, too.
After losing Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs find themselves needing to take action once more. The 40-22 loss in New Orleans exposed the Kansas City offensive line again, as the Eagles' defense sacked Mahomes six times on their way to an unexpectedly dominant victory. The Chiefs are pushing up against the NFL's salary cap entering 2025 -- and while Mahomes could restructure his contract to help out, he may not be pleased to see the franchise toying with the future of a key offensive lineman.
Uncertainty over the future of Trey Smith
The playing future of right guard Trey Smith is one of the top stories to follow with respect to the Chiefs this offseason. A gem of a find in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith has started all 80 games he has played in the pros and he is a two-time Super Bowl champion...who just so happens to be eligible for a long-term extension this summer.
The Chiefs are not expected to use the franchise tag on Smith as he nears free agency; using the tag on offensive linemen is generally unwise, as it inflates their market value. But Smith is already expected to be the most coveted guard on the market -- and it isn't great timing for Kansas City, as the team has a glaring need at left tackle, too.
Smith's happiness within the Kansas City locker room could pave an easier road to an agreement; the Chiefs remain in a Super Bowl window, and championship-caliber teams cost a lot of money to keep together. Only time will tell whether the Chiefs pay up and do their part to keep Mahomes happy by hanging on to arguably his best lineman.