Former Tennessee football star Trey Smith is finalizing a contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that will make him the highest paid offensive guard in the NFL. It’s a four-year, $94 million extension with $70 million guaranteed according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Chiefs franchise tagged Smith earlier this offseason following his fourth year in the NFL with the two sides finally agreeing on terms for an extension Tuesday. The $94 million is significant enough but Smith getting $70 million guaranteed is a major win for the former Tennessee standout.
Smith has been one of the NFL’s best interior offensive linemen to this point in his career and has been key in protecting Kansas City star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes took to X (Twitter) Tuesday after learning the news about Smith’s extension and it’s safe to say the star quarterback is excited.
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— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 15, 2025
Kansas City drafted Smith in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, getting a major steal. Smith was one of the SEC’s best offensive linemen in his time at Tennessee but health complications led to him sliding all the way to the sixth round of the draft.
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The Chiefs took a chance on Smith and it’s paid off for both sides. In his four years in the NFL, Smith has been a part of two Super Bowl winning teams while making another. Kansas City’s worst season with Smith came in his rookie year when they lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game.
While at Tennessee, Smith was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and was a Second Team All-SEC selection during his freshman season and was a Second Team All-SEC selection during his freshman season. The only year Smith didn’t earn all-conference honors was his sophomore year when he was not able to play a full season due to dealing with blood clots.
Blood clots threatened to end Smith football career in college but the Jackson, Tennessee native was able to find a practice plan that allowed him to continue playing. Smith’s perseverance has paid major dividends and has been rewarded with a bounty of success and now a $70 million guaranteed contract.
