Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith enters his fifth career season with 80 career starts (67 regular season/13 playoff) under his belt, only one missed game over that span and two Super Bowl rings. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024. The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him this off-season ($23.4M guaranteed), which gives them until the July 15th deadline to get a long-term deal worked out. Smith is on track to attain the richest guard contract in NFL history (currently held by Eagles LG Landon Dickerson) thanks to his age (turns 26 in June), durability, production and special blend of size, power, play strength and competitive toughness.
The Chiefs’ decision to trade stalwart left guard Joe Thuney to the Bears this off-season and remake the left side of their line indicates their intention of building around Smith and perennial All-Pro center Creed Humphrey. Smith has been the ‘tone-setter’ of this line since he entered the lineup as a rookie in 2021. He incrementally refined his game before putting together his most consistent season last year. Smith will still periodically get caught with tardy strike timing and get edged clean, but those reps have minimized to the point that he should be considered one of the select few ‘elite’ guards entering the 2025 season.
The above highlight video of Smith is the most comprehensive available and showcases exactly where and how he wins as a player. Over the next few weeks, there will be more of these highlight videos from OL across the NFL in addition to more film rooms with special guests.
Up next: Bills RT Spencer Brown
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