With year four on the horizon, Smith isn’t too concerned about what his next contract will look like or who it may come from.
One of the only disadvantages of picking talented athletes is the inevitable need to pay them. That is something that all NFL clubs understand, and the Kansas City Chiefs are no exception. General manager Brett Veach’s consecutive draft classes have helped the organization maintain its dynasty, while each year brings more pricey personnel decisions.
Many of Veach’s draft picks have been offered one-year contracts, but only defensive end Mike Danna has received a multi-year one. That’s anticipated to change shortly, as the 2021 class approaches the end of its rookie-scale contracts.
Linebacker Nick Bolton, center Creed Humphrey, tight end Noah Gray, and right guard Trey Smith are all up for new contracts. It seems improbable that all four will sign new contracts in Kansas City, so someone may – or should – enter the free agent market. Earlier this summer, Bolton expressed his displeasure by respectfully kicking the proverbial tin can down the road. This week at training camp, one of his teammates is doing the same thing.
When asked if he pays attention to contracts, Smith quickly focused on his “College Football 25” virtual dynasty. The former sixth-round pick then gave an honest response, saying he’ll just put his head down and work.
“I don’t look at all that stuff, man,” Smith responded. “I’m concerned about what my coaches say and how they feel about me. You understand that if I do my job well, everything else will fall into place. That’s all I have to do: keep working hard and doing my job well.”
Smith did not clarify on his wish to stay with the Chiefs on Sunday, although he stated so at the OL Masterminds camp earlier this month. It’s certainly a priority for him, and there’s a case to be made for and against the same for the organization.
On the one hand, Smith has offered outstanding value for his draft position. The medical issues regarding his profile prior to the draft have had no effect on his NFL career. He’s been in 50 regular-season games over three years and has thousands of snaps under his belt. His consistency is unparalleled, as both the eye test and advanced data show someone who consistently performs above average.
Smith, on the other hand, saw a drop in penalties and pressures surrendered previous season, and he isn’t quite as good as Humphrey or Joe Thuney. Those players, Pro Bowlers and/or All-Pros, can compete for market-changing contracts and have them justified. Some team may back up the Brink’s truck for Smith’s services, but it is unlikely to be Kansas City given who they are now paying and who they will soon have to pay.
Recent guard contracts have inflated the market. The average annual salaries for Landon Dickerson ($21 million), Robert Hunt ($20.5 million), Quinn Meinerz ($18 million), and even Jonah Jackson ($17 million) and Kevin Dotson ($16 million) make it much more difficult to envision the Chiefs extending Smith. If they did, it would have to be at a comparable price and be linked to a Humphrey deal for years.
Another quality effort from Smith in 2024, which he intends to put forth, might complicate matters even further.
