Bears’ plan to land Chiefs star Trey Smith faces major setback

Chicago’s free agency hopes may be crushed as Kansas City moves to secure their top lineman

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey SmithAP

The Chicago Bears have been eyeing Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith as one of their top targets in 2025 NFL free agency.

At just 25 years old, Smith has proven to be an elite talent, allowing zero sacks over more than 700 pass-blocking snaps in the 2024 season. His dominant presence in the run game further cements his status as one of the most coveted linemen on the market.

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However, the Bears may not even get a chance to negotiate with him. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Chiefs are prioritizing keeping Smith on their roster, despite their tight salary cap situation.

Kansas City has less than $8 million in projected cap space for 2025, yet the team is still working to finalize a long-term contract extension before free agency begins.

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Chiefs Push to Lock in Smith with Lucrative Contract

Smith is in a position to reset the guard market with his next deal. Given his age, talent, and championship pedigree, his next contract could surpass the $20 million per year mark, which is what Robert Hunt received from the Carolina Panthers last offseason.

The Bears had a strong case to lure Smith away, especially with nearly $80 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap.

Will Travis Kelce return to the Chiefs in 2025? @ByNateTaylor, @RealMNchiefsfan, and @jbbrisco are reacting to the start of the 2025 NFL Combine and more! https://t.co/hdJg46kbJI

— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) February 25, 2025

With all three of their starting interior linemen from 2024 set to enter unrestricted free agency, adding a young, Super Bowl-winning talent like Smith would have been a game-changer for quarterback Caleb Williams‘ protection.

However, according to Chiefs insider Nate Taylor, there is “growing optimism” that Kansas City will secure Smith with a five-year extension, keeping him off the free-agent market. This would deal a serious blow to the Bears’ offseason plans, forcing them to look elsewhere to strengthen their offensive line.

Bears Must Shift Focus to Other Options

If Smith remains in Kansas City, the Bears still have alternatives. The 2025 free agency class features other strong offensive linemen, including center Drew Dalman and tackle Alaric Jackson.

Additionally, Chicago could address their offensive line needs in the NFL Draft, where several high-upside prospects will be available.

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While missing out on Smith would sting, the Bears‘ front office remains well-positioned to build a formidable offensive line. With plenty of cap space and draft capital, Chicago still has ample opportunities to bolster protection for their franchise quarterback.

Though the situation could still change before free agency opens, it now seems likely that Trey Smith won’t be available-forcing Chicago to rethink their offseason strategy.