1. Contract & Financial Impact
• What the franchise tag means for Trey Smith’s salary and future earnings.
• How the tag affects the Chiefs’ salary cap and ability to retain other key players.
• Comparisons to other top-paid guards in the NFL.
2. Chiefs’ Offensive Line Strategy
• How the Chiefs have built their offensive line in recent years.
• The importance of continuity on the O-line for Patrick Mahomes.
• Potential long-term contract options if they don’t franchise tag him again in 2026.
3. Trey Smith’s Performance & Value
• A statistical breakdown of Smith’s impact as a run-blocker and pass-protector.
• How he compares to other elite guards in the league.
• His development since being drafted in the sixth round in 2021.
4. Team Chemistry & Locker Room Impact
• How teammates might react to the move.
• Smith’s leadership role on the team.
• The importance of stability on the offensive line for team morale.
5. Alternative Moves for the Chiefs
• Could they re-sign him to a long-term deal instead of tagging him?
• Would they consider trading him if negotiations stall?
• What if they draft a replacement instead?
6. Market Impact & Other Teams’ Interest
• Which teams would be interested in Smith if he were to hit free agency.
• How the franchise tag affects the guard market in 2025.
• Potential trade scenarios if the Chiefs don’t plan to keep him long-term.
7. Player Perspective
• How Trey Smith might feel about being tagged instead of getting a long-term deal.
• The risk of injury and financial security concerns for a player on a one-year tag.
• His public statements and potential holdout concerns.
8. Historical Context
• How often guards get franchise-tagged in the NFL.
• Success stories and failures of past franchise-tagged linemen.
• The Chiefs’ history of using (or avoiding) the franchise tag.
