The Kansas City Chiefs are still reeling from the bitter taste of their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, where their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, endured a punishing performance, taking six sacks and numerous pressures. Determined to prevent a repeat, general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have made a bold move to fortify their offensive line, ensuring Mahomes has the protection he needs to lead the team back to glory.
In a historic deal, the Chiefs have extended Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith with a four-year, $94 million contract, including $70 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. This contract sets a new benchmark for both average annual salary and guaranteed money for an NFL guard, underscoring the team’s commitment to protecting their franchise quarterback.
Smith, a sixth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2021, quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ offensive line. Earning the trust of Mahomes and the coaching staff, he became a starter and played a pivotal role in the team’s back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2022 and 2023. His standout 2024 season, which earned him his first Pro Bowl nod, solidified his value to the organization. The Chiefs secured Smith’s long-term future just before the trade deadline, opting to extend him rather than rely on the $23.4 million franchise tag they had placed on him.
This blockbuster deal sends a clear message: the Chiefs are all-in on protecting Mahomes and rebuilding their offensive identity. With Smith anchoring the line, Mahomes will have more time to connect with his playmakers, including second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who is poised for a breakout season. During OTAs, Reid made it clear that the team needs to start fast in 2025. “Coach Reid told us during OTAs Phase 1, ‘When you come back, get your hamstrings ready,’” Worthy shared on FanDuel TV’s Up and Adams show. “We kind of knew that we were going to be going a little deep during practice.”
Worthy, who began to build chemistry with Mahomes late in the 2024 season, expects an expanded role in the offense. “I feel like they started using me a lot underneath,” he said, “and I can get started over the top because me and Pat are building that rapport together.” Worthy emphasized the importance of understanding Mahomes’ expectations on the field, noting, “He really just wants you to get open. It’s about understanding the route and what freedom you have in the route.”
With Smith locked in as Mahomes’ most expensive protector and a dynamic young receiver like Worthy stepping up, the Chiefs’ offense is poised to be explosive. For the first time in years, Kansas City enters the season not as defending champions but as hunters, eager to erase the memory of last year’s Super Bowl defeat. With Reid’s high-octane approach and a fortified offensive line, the Chiefs are ready to reclaim their dominance in 2025. Watch out, NFL—the Chiefs are coming.