NFL free agency kicks off on March 12, leaving Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles less than a month to determine which players to pursue.
Following a disappointing 2024 season, the Bears have several areas to improve, particularly on the offensive line, which ranked 15th in run blocking according to Pro Football Focus. Fortunately, a number of free-agent guards are available who could help address this need, including Kansas City Chiefs lineman Trey Smith.
Given Smith’s solid and reliable protection, there was a time when few anticipated the Chiefs would let him hit the open market. Now that the Super Bowl has concluded, it seems the Bears have a real opportunity to add the Pro Bowl guard.
Bears Rumors: Chiefs Will Let Trey Smith Reach Free Agency
Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune reported on Wednesday that the Kansas City Chiefs are likely to allow Trey Smith to explore free agency next month. Biggs mentioned that there’s a strong possibility Smith will hit the market, and if so, he could become the highest-paid guard in the league, with the Bears facing competition for his services.
As one of the NFL’s top guards, it’s no surprise that Smith would attract significant attention as a free agent. A 2021 sixth-round pick, Smith has been a key player on the Chiefs’ offensive line for the past four seasons. His stellar play earned him his first Pro Bowl selection after the 2024 season, finishing among the best in the league in both run blocking (77.9, 10th) and overall offense (75.1, 14th) according to PFF.
Given his performance, Spotrac estimates Smith could command a contract worth $19.7 million per year, making him the highest-paid guard, surpassing Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts ($16.5 million in 2025). While signing Smith would be costly, the Bears are well-positioned with over $64.8 million in cap space this offseason, the sixth-most in the NFL. If they land him, Smith’s addition could significantly boost Chicago’s offensive line.
The Bears won’t be able to begin negotiations with Smith until the tampering period starts on March 10.
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