Tag: Trey Smith

Report: Chiefs G Trey Smith to miss time with ankle injuries

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith is nursing both high- and low-ankle sprains, NFL Network reported on Monday.

Smith sustained the injuries during Kansas City’s 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

He is expected to miss time with the injuries for the Chiefs (6-5), who have a short turnaround before visiting the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) on Thursday. Mike Caliendo likely will get the nod in place of Smith on Thanksgiving Day.

Signed to a four-year, $94 million extension in the summer, Smith has started all 10 games in which he has played this season and all 77 in which he has competed since being drafted in the sixth round in 2021.

Smith, 26, is a two-time Super Bowl champion. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) leaves the field after warm ups before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Report: Chiefs G Trey Smith gets 4-year, $94M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs and franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith are finalizing a four-year, $94 million extension, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The deal reportedly includes $70 million guaranteed for Smith, 26, the highest-paid guard in the league.

A Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024, Smith was set to earn $23.4 million for 2025 on the franchise tag. The two sides faced a Tuesday deadline to work out a long-term extension to override the one-year deal.

A sixth-round draft steal in 2021, Smith has started 80 games — 13 in the playoffs. He has only missed one game through four seasons and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.

The only other NFL player who received a franchise tag this offseason was Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who agreed to a four-year, $115 million extension in March.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Only two players receive franchise tag, lowest since ‘94

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went Tuesday with only two NFL players receiving the franchise tag: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith.

The most notable candidate not to be tagged: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who instead will test the open market while the team reportedly works on an offer to bring him back.

Per ESPN, this marked the fewest players on the franchise tag since 1994, when only two got the tag. It’s sharply down from last year’s total of eight players tagged around the league.

Higgins was tagged for the second straight year at $26.2 million, and he and the Bengals will work on a long-term contract between now and the July 15 deadline. Smith was tendered at $23.4 million.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Smith, 25, was a Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024 and has started 80 games — 13 in the playoffs — since being selected in the sixth round in 2021.

Darnold, 27, landed in Minnesota last winter on a one-year free agent deal, projected as the Vikings’ interim quarterback, particularly after the team subsequently used a first-round pick on QB J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold won the quarterback job in training camp, during which McCarthy sustained a season-ending right knee injury. In the regular season, Darnold proved to be a revelation, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record while completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career highs. He was intercepted 12 times.

The surprise season earned Darnold a Pro Bowl selection, and he wound up 10th in MVP voting.

–Field Level Media

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Chiefs to franchise tag guard Trey Smith

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trey Smith was informed he will be franchise-tagged by the Chiefs, according to multiple reports, in a move that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid guard while blocking a path to free agency.

NFL teams have until Monday to use the franchise and transition tag designations to retain players scheduled to become free agents next month.

Smith, a Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024, would be guaranteed around $23.4 million for the 2025 season under terms of the franchise tender. The Chiefs and Smith would have until July 15 to come to a long-term contract extension to override the one-year deal.

A sixth-round pick in 2021, Smith has started 80 games — 13 in the playoffs — and is only 25 years old.

The tender is higher than the average salary of the NFL’s current highest-paid guard — Landon Dickerson (Eagles) makes $21 million per season. The Chiefs made Creed Humphrey the highest-paid center in the NFL last August with a four-year, $72 million deal.

Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney is entering the final year of his contract and can become a free agent after the 2025 season. Thuney kicked out to left tackle, where he started in Super Bowl LIX, in an attempt to patch the offensive line late in the year.

Head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week Thuney would be back at his natural guard position in 2025 unless the Chiefs can’t find a solution at left tackle.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs K Harrison Butker ruled out for ‘TNF’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a sprained ankle.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that Butker had swelling in the ankle. Butker was injured in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Multiple outlets reported that practice-squad kicker Matt Ammendola will replace Butker against the Chargers. Ammendola appeared in 11 games for the Jets last season, going 13-for-19 on field goals and 14-for-15 on extra-point attempts.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid went 1-for-2 on extra-point attempts Sunday and took over kickoff duties.

The Chiefs restructured Butker’s contract earlier Wednesday, creating $1.46 million in cap space, per reports. The Chiefs ranked 28th in cap space when the season kicked off, per overthecap.com.

Reid blamed the turf at Arizona’s stadium for the injury to Butker and rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie, who was put on injured reserve Tuesday. McDuffie slipped and injured his hamstring.

Chiefs starting guard Trey Smith (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and is listed as questionable against the Chargers.

–Field Level Media