The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get back to the Super Bowl and avenge last year’s embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Star tight end Travis Kelce is foregoing retirement for at least one more season to help get the job done with his partner in crime, quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
However, for Mahomes and Kelce to hit their stride together, Mahomes will need time behind the line of scrimmage. To that end, the Chiefs changed their mind on one of their most important lineman, agreeing to a massive new deal rather than sticking with a franchise tag.
“Pro-Bowl guard Trey Smith and the Chiefs reached agreement just ahead of today’s franchise-tag deadline on a four-year, $94 million deal that includes $70 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid guard in NFL history, ESPN’s sources tell me and (Nate Taylor). It’s the highest-average annual salary and the most guaranteed money ever awarded to an NFL guard,” reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“$70M guaranteed for Trey Smith is the definition of market inefficiency becoming market reality. Chiefs just locked up the most underrated piece of their dynasty for less than what some teams waste on backup QBs. Sharp front office work from KC yet again,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“That is a lot of freaking money. I hate it when teams get into this cycle of suck where they can’t spread the money around. The Chiefs have been lucky because they have the talent to back it up between QB and Coach but that isn’t going to last,” another fan added.
“They had him at a 7th round draft spot discount for 4 years which included 3 trips to the Super Bowl. If you factor that in this is a pretty sweet deal,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Chiefs can get back to the top of the mountain.