BREAKING: Former Tennessee Volunteer Trey Smith has officially signed a new contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that will make him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. The deal, finalized earlier this week, not only sets a new financial benchmark for interior linemen but also serves as a crowning moment for a player whose journey to this point has been defined by perseverance, power, and relentless belief. It’s a story that began in Knoxville and has now reached historic highs in Kansas City.
Trey Smith’s path to NFL stardom was far from ordinary. A former five-star recruit out of Jackson, Tennessee, Smith committed to the University of Tennessee as one of the most heralded offensive linemen in the country. Even in his freshman season in 2017, he stood out, earning All-SEC honors while starting every game. However, his career nearly came to a halt due to blood clots in his lungs—a potentially life-threatening condition that forced him to miss significant time and put his football future in jeopardy. Still, through diligent medical management, an iron will, and support from the Tennessee football program, Smith returned to the field and re-established himself as one of the SEC’s most dominant linemen. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in both 2019 and 2020, playing with a physicality and grit that defined his reputation. Despite concerns over his health, the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, in what now looks like one of the biggest draft steals in recent memory.
From the moment he arrived in Kansas City, Smith made it clear that he wasn’t going to let his draft position define him. He immediately earned a starting job on the offensive line as a rookie, lining up at right guard and never looking back. Smith brought with him the same raw strength, footwork, and tenacity that had earned him respect in the SEC, and it didn’t take long before NFL scouts and analysts alike began to take notice. His performance helped anchor an offensive line tasked with protecting superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and the impact was obvious. Mahomes was better protected, the run game flourished, and Kansas City’s offense regained the kind of balance that makes them nearly impossible to stop.
By the time the 2023 and 2024 seasons rolled around, Smith had solidified himself as one of the premier guards in the NFL. He combined elite run-blocking skills with nimble pass protection, all while maintaining the fierce mentality that had become his trademark. He helped the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls during those seasons, and was widely considered the most dominant interior lineman on either squad. Analysts praised his hand placement, leverage, and ability to finish blocks with authority. Offensive line coaches around the league began using clips of Smith in film rooms as teaching material. Yet despite his production and accolades, Smith remained one of the most underpaid linemen in the league relative to his value. That changed this week.
The new contract reportedly places Smith ahead of other elite guards like Quenton Nelson of the Colts and Chris Lindstrom of the Falcons. Though specific terms are still being finalized, sources close to the situation confirm that the deal includes over $80 million in total value with around $50 million guaranteed. The average annual value makes Smith the highest-paid guard in league history, a title he now holds as both a testament to his performance and a reflection of his irreplaceable value to the Chiefs.
In typical fashion, Smith reacted to the news with gratitude and humility. In a statement posted on his social media, he thanked his family, his coaches—past and present—and specifically shouted out the University of Tennessee for “never giving up on me.” He also mentioned the late Coach Jeremy Pruitt, under whom he played during his final years in college, and current Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, whom he credited for helping unlock his full potential at the professional level. “This isn’t just my moment,” Smith said. “This is for every kid who’s been told they’re too sick, too hurt, or too far behind to chase their dream. Keep pushing.”
The Chiefs, meanwhile, made it clear that keeping Smith in Kansas City was a priority from day one of negotiations. General manager Brett Veach called Smith “the heartbeat of our offensive line,” and noted that his blend of talent, intelligence, and leadership made him indispensable. “You can find linemen,” Veach said, “but you can’t find many like Trey. He’s as good as we’ve ever had.” Head coach Andy Reid echoed the sentiment, saying, “Trey brings it every single day. He’s a leader in the locker room, and when we’re in the trenches, he’s the guy you want next to you.”
Smith’s deal comes at a pivotal time for the Chiefs, who are working to maintain their Super Bowl-caliber roster in the face of rising salary cap pressures. Locking down cornerstone players like Smith ensures that Mahomes will continue to have a stable and elite unit in front of him. In an age where offensive line play is more critical than ever—especially in playoff environments against increasingly athletic defenses—the Chiefs’ investment in Smith could end up being the difference between another title run and early elimination. Protecting Mahomes has always been the franchise’s number one priority, and giving Smith what he deserves is a major part of that strategy.
Beyond the business and football implications, Smith’s rise carries deep personal significance. He becomes not only the highest-paid guard in the game, but also a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. His health battle would have ended most careers. His drop in the draft could’ve destroyed confidence. But instead of fading, he grew stronger—physically, mentally, and emotionally. His contract is more than a reward for performance; it’s validation for every setback he overcame and every ounce of faith he kept when things looked darkest.
For Tennessee Volunteers fans, the news is bittersweet in the best way. Smith is a VFL—Vol for Life—in every sense of the term, and he carries the Tennessee flag with pride wherever he goes. The program has produced many NFL stars, but few have represented the university with as much grace and excellence as Smith. His latest accomplishment only adds to the legacy he started building on Rocky Top.
As the NFL enters the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the Kansas City Chiefs as they chase a potential three-peat, something no team has accomplished in the modern era. And while Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones often dominate the headlines, it’s players like Trey Smith—gritty, dependable, elite—that make dynasties possible. With his future now secure and his name etched in the history books, Smith is poised to enter the next chapter of his career with even more motivation, if that’s even possible.
The league has officially been put on notice: the highest-paid guard in NFL history wears red and gold, and his name is Trey Smith. What started as a dream in Tennessee, nearly lost to a medical setback, has now become a story of triumph, dominance, and enduring legacy.
