Trey Smith Just Signed A Record-Setting Extension With The Kansas City Chiefs

By on July 15, 2025 in ArticlesSports News

Think about your current job. Imagine you have one year left on your contract. Now, picture your employer asking you to take a 10% pay cut for the upcoming year. You probably wouldn't be very receptive to that idea, right? Well, that's exactly what happened to Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith—but we're guessing he's not too upset about it.

When we last checked in with Smith, he was awaiting a decision from the Chiefs. The team had placed the franchise tag on him, which set him up to make $23.4 million this season. However, the two sides just agreed to a long-term extension. Smith will actually make about 10% less this year as a result, but he's trading that for long-term financial security. His new deal also happens to be historic.

Smith's extension is worth $94 million over four seasons, including $70 million guaranteed. The $94 million is the most money an interior lineman has ever received, while the $70 million guaranteed is a record for an NFL guard.

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Smith has only missed one contest in his four-year NFL career, starting all 67 games he's appeared in. He's been a key contributor on the line for the Chiefs this decade, helping protect Patrick Mahomes en route to two Super Bowl titles and three appearances since entering the league in 2021.

The guard was also part of the line that got overwhelmed against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Philadelphia put pressure on Mahomes all game long, forcing the quarterback into several uncharacteristic mistakes. That poor performance has added some fire to the Chiefs as this season approaches.

Now, Smith will aim to live up to his hefty contract. He reached his first Pro Bowl last season, so the Chiefs are hoping he can build on that growth. The new deal might put some financial strain on the team moving forward, as well—Kansas City has a handful of large contracts to consider, notably that of Mahomes, which balloons after this season. Mahomes' 2026 base salary is $45.3 million and includes a $78.2 million cap hit. But it looks like Smith will be a part of the team for the foreseeable future, something that was in doubt before this long-term extension.

So, while Smith will indeed have a 10% pay cut this season, he'll make about $47 million in guaranteed money and potentially nearly $71 million altogether. That feels like a worthwhile trade.

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