VFL Trey Smith looks set to get a big payday from someone in the NFL this offseason.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Kansas City Chiefs are not expected to use the franchise or transition tag on their Super Bowl-winning right guard, which would open up the first free agency stint of Smith’s professional career.
After being drafted out of the University of Tennessee in the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith spent four years with the Chiefs and competed three straight years in the Super Bowl from 2023 to 2025. Smith has also been an ironman for Kansas City since joining its organization, starting all 80 regular season and playoff games that have been on the table for him.
Breaking: The Kansas City Chiefs are not expected to place the franchise or transition tag on free agent G Trey Smith league sources tell @ByNateTaylor. He will hit the free agent market.
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) February 19, 2025
Smith will turn 26 this summer and will certainly command a massive spotlight in free agency, whether it’s in renegotiations with Kansas City or a new team entirely.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently tagged Smith as the second-best free agent behind wide receiver Tee Higgins and named the Chicago Bears his choice for Smith’s best fit.
“The top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago,” Bowen wrote for ESPN. “Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Bears general manager Ryan Poles could make a splash move to rebuild the front for Ben Johnson’s new offense. The Bears allowed a league-high 68 sacks in 2024, so this area has to be addressed.”
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The Jackson, Tennessee, native spent four years at the University of Tennessee before entering professional football. By the end of his time on Rocky Top, Smith was named a Tennessee Torchbearer Award recipient, a two-time All-SEC First Team Selection, a Freshman All-American, the Jason Witten Man of the Year, the Pat Summitt Ignite Greatness Award winner, a Second Team All-American, and more.
Some Tennessee Titans fans are making their pitch for Smith to return to the Volunteer State online, but it certainly looks like the former Volunteer could be on the move through free agency this offseason.
