The NFL’s deadline for franchise-tagged gamers to signal long-term extensions is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and the longer term for Kansas Metropolis Chiefs proper guard Trey Smith stays undetermined.
Smith and Cincinnati Bengals vast receiver Tee Higgins had been the one gamers positioned on franchise tags this offseason, the bottom complete in 31 years. However whereas the Bengals and Higgins agreed on a four-year deal value $115 million, Smith’s long-term contract negotiations stay ongoing.
In April, Chiefs basic supervisor Brett Veach stated he spoke with Smith’s brokers and hoped to achieve an settlement after the NFL Draft.
“Hopefully, we get that finished. There’s no lack of curiosity or will or want on our finish,” Veach advised reporters. “My guess is as soon as the draft’s over and our focus is again on caring for the gamers which are right here and attempting to get these guys locked up. (Smith’s company) CAA, on their finish, they’re one of many main businesses regarding the gamers they produce yearly, so I’m certain as soon as issues quiet down on each ends, we’ll be ready to proceed this dialogue and hopefully make some progress there.
“There’s no secret there that we’d wish to get Trey locked up.”
Smith, 25, was a sixth-round draft decide by the Chiefs in 2021. He has began each one of many 67 video games he’s performed for Kansas Metropolis and has missed just one contest in 4 seasons. In 2024, Smith allowed a career-low 1.5 sacks and earned his first Professional Bowl choice.
Smith skipped all the Chiefs’ OTAs in March however was in attendance for June’s necessary minicamp amid contract negotiations. His presence is essential because the Chiefs hope to squash the blocking points alongside their offensive line that price them in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
What’s a franchise tag?
A franchise tag is a one-year contract that an NFL workforce can difficulty to maintain a high participant from getting into free company. The tag permits a workforce to retain a participant on a assured cope with a non-negotiated wage. Every workforce can difficulty one franchise tag per offseason, and it will probably solely be used on gamers set to turn into unrestricted free brokers.
There are two varieties of franchise tags: unique tags (which prohibit negotiation with different groups) and non-exclusive tags (which permit negotiation, although if the participant reaches a cope with a brand new membership, the unique workforce can both match it or refuse and be awarded two first-round picks as compensation). The non-exclusive tag is the extra widespread possibility.
The wage for gamers on a non-exclusive franchise tag is pre-determined, utilizing both the common of the highest 5 salaries on the participant’s place from the earlier 5 years utilized to the present wage cap, or giving the participant 120 p.c of his earlier wage, whichever is greater.
The 2 gamers tagged this offseason had been down from a median of 9.2 gamers tagged from 2020 to 2024. The dip signaled a comparatively weak free-agent class and recommended that organizations have gotten extra proactive in signing high gamers to long-term offers.
What occurs if Smith doesn’t signal a long-term deal?
If Smith doesn’t signal a long-term deal by the deadline, he’ll be locked in to play a one-year deal value $23.402 million. NFL guidelines prohibit gamers taking part in on the franchise tag from negotiating towards a brand new deal till after the conclusion of the present season, so the Chiefs and Smith’s camp must wait to return to the negotiation desk.
Smith might be hoping to reset the guard market and high the four-year, $84 million deal that Landon Dickerson acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. That contract options a median wage of $21 million per season. Smith — if he does certainly play on the tag — would draw extra for that single season than Dickerson’s common, and it might profit the Chiefs to work out a long-term deal relatively than should franchise Smith a second season, which might translate right into a $28.082 million wage for 2026. — Mike Jones, senior author
(Picture: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Photographs)
