The Kansas City Chiefs have secured their final major offseason goal by agreeing to a four-year contract extension worth $94 million with guard Trae Smith. The deal includes a $70 million guarantee, marking the highest guaranteed amount ever given to an NFL guard.
Although the Chiefs announced Smith’s contract, they did not reveal specific details. At 26, Smith was tagged with the franchise tag on Tuesday, leading general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid to sign him to a one-year deal worth $23.4 million initially. This move gave the team the opportunity to negotiate a longer-term contract before the Tuesday 4 p.m. deadline.
Smith was one of only two players franchise-tagged this year, with wide receiver Tee Higgins being the other. Higgins had already agreed to a long-term deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in March, marking the first season with franchise tags since 2015, according to ESPN research.
By re-signing Smith, the Chiefs have completed their key offseason mission to strengthen their offensive line to better protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes expressed his happiness with the deal on his X account by posting an emoji with smiling eyes shortly after the agreement was made.
Smith, who was an All-Pro last season, remains a crucial part of the team’s offensive lineup. He will line up alongside new left tackle Jayron Moore, new left guard Kingsley Suamataire, All-Pro center Creed Humphrey, and right tackle Jawan Taylor. The Chiefs also picked left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round of this year’s draft, even though Simmons is still recovering from a left patella injury.
The NFL salary cap for this season was announced at $279.2 million, higher than the Chiefs had anticipated at around $270 million. Shortly after tagging Smith, the Chiefs traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick, freeing up $16 million in salary cap space.
Smith entered the NFL in 2021 and was part of the Chiefs’ major offensive line revamp during the Mahomes era. Despite being selected late in the sixth round due to concerns over his medical history—a lung thrombus diagnosed in 2018 that recurred months later—Smith has become one of the team’s most reliable players. Known for his athleticism and grit, Smith has started 80 of 81 games, including four postseason runs with the Chiefs.
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Fan Take: This contract extension not only solidifies the Chiefs’ offensive line but also reflects the rising value and recognition of elite guards in the NFL. For fans, it signals that teams are prioritizing protecting their franchise quarterbacks, which could reshape future draft and signing strategies across the league.
