Sources: Chiefs, guard Smith reach historic deal

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a four-year, $94 million contract extension with right guard Trey Smith, making him the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. The deal includes $70 million guaranteed, also a record for an NFL guard.

Smith was the final player remaining on the franchise tag this year. The Chiefs applied the tag on February 28th to prevent him from becoming a free agent, committing to a one-year, $23.4 million deal while continuing negotiations. Both parties reached the long-term agreement before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for franchised players to sign such contracts. With this deal, no players will play the 2024 season under the franchise tag for the first time since 2015.

Retaining Smith completes the Chiefs' major offseason objective of revamping their offensive line to better protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who publicly celebrated the extension. Smith, a first-time Pro-Bowler last season, will be a core part of the projected starting offensive line. The Chiefs also used their first-round draft pick on left tackle Josh Simmons to address this key need.

The deal comes after the NFL set the salary cap higher than anticipated at $279.2 million. To create cap space, the Chiefs recently traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, freeing up $16 million. Smith's contract means the Chiefs are now the only team paying multiple interior offensive linemen at least $50 million guaranteed.

Smith, 26, joined the Chiefs as a sixth-round pick in 2021 despite concerns about his medical history involving blood clots. He has proven exceptionally dependable, starting 80 of 81 possible games, including the Chiefs' past four postseason runs, and is known for his athleticism and tenacity.