The Kansas City Chiefs finally extended Trey Smith before the mid-summer deadline, signing him to a four-year extension worth $94 million. The veteran offensive lineman is now the highest-paid guard in the NFL.
While this contract solves one problem for the Chiefs, it’s important to remember the phrase: if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Kansas City still can’t kick its feet up and relax for the 2025 season, because the work is never done in the NFL.
With Smith’s future secure, everyone’s attention is already on Trent McDuffie. The veteran defensive back is next on the list of talented young players who deserve to be paid. While the Chiefs will likely get a deal done with McDuffie eventually, the finances might become an issue with another line-mate of Smith's: right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
With all of the money the Chiefs just committed to Harris, the franchise will have a hard time keeping Taylor for the final year of his contract.
Trey Smith extension means Jawaan Taylor is likely entering last season with Chiefs
Taylor came to Kansas City back in 2023, after four years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chiefs signed him to a four-year deal worth $80 million, which means he won’t technically be a free agent until 2027. However, with Taylor’s cap hit next season north of $27 million, the financial costs could be too great up front to keep all three.
Of course, the story would be different if the Chiefs were enamored with Taylor's body of work, but there were already rumors that he could be squeezed from a starting role this coming season. The Chiefs added Jaylon Moore in free agency to compete at left tackle. Given that first-round choice Josh Simmons looks healthier than expected, however, Moore might be game to switch sides.
The trio of tackle options is already expected to compete for two starting spots. Retired ESPN reporter (and Chiefs legend) Adam Teicher also predicted that Simmons and Moore would be the starting tackles going into 2026 as well. That leaves Taylor on the outs before his contract is up.
Ultimately, the Chiefs had to pay Smith the kind of money it just did, but that contract will encourage the franchise to find cheaper options at other spots on the offensive line. That could push Taylor out of Kansas City earlier than his scheduled departure time.
