{"id":204150,"date":"2024-12-11T12:30:09","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T17:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=204150"},"modified":"2024-12-10T20:22:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T01:22:21","slug":"bears-should-be-all-in-on-signing-chiefs-trey-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/12\/11\/bears-should-be-all-in-on-signing-chiefs-trey-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears Should Be All in on Signing Chiefs Superstar"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s painfully clear that the Chicago Bears need a complete overhaul on the offensive line aside from Darnell Wright.<\/a> The Bears finally have their franchise quarterback,<\/a> now it’s time to invest a hefty amount of cap space on the offensive line. Among the upcoming free agents, Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith stands out as not only the best offensive lineman available but arguably the top free agent overall. If Ryan Poles<\/a> wants a chance at saving his job, signing Smith should be his top priority.<\/p>\n

Bears Should Be All in on Signing Chiefs Superstar<\/h2>\n

Ryan Poles’ previous tenure with the Chiefs could work to his advantage in pursuing Smith. If he can leverage those connections, bringing Smith to Chicago might not be as difficult as it seems. A recent Bleacher Report article highlighted each team\u2019s biggest weakness and the best way to address it, citing the Bears need at right guard.<\/a> Signing Smith is an obvious move, and Bleacher Report predicts he\u2019ll command a record-breaking contract as the NFL\u2019s highest-paid guard.<\/p>\n

“The Bears obviously hope that Williams can be their long-term answer at quarterback. For the USC product to have long-term success, though, Chicago must protect him with a better overall blocking unit.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith\u2014the second-ranked player on B\/R’s early\u00a02025 free-agent board\u2014should be high atop Chicago’s wish list. He’s an above-average pass protector and a legitimate catalyst in the running game.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Smith will undoubtedly command a heft contract on the open market\u2014if the Chiefs even allow him to get there\u2014but at 25 years old, he has the potential to be a franchise building block.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Chiefs Dilemma Creates Golden Opportunity for the Bears<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

The Chiefs’ financial situation complicates their ability to retain Trey Smith. With around $21 million in cap space<\/a> and other key players like Nick Bolton, Derrick Nnadi, Marquise Brown, Charles Omenihu, Justin Reid, and DeAndre Hopkins also set to hit free agency, Kansas City may struggle to match a lucrative offer from a team like Chicago, which will have approximately $82 million in cap space.<\/p>\n

Here’s one way of thinking about it; Ryan Poles missed badly on the Nate Davis<\/a> signing, so now it’s time to break the bank for a proven guard who has Super Bowl experience. The current benchmark for top guards is $20.5 million annually (Falcons<\/a> right guard Chris Lindstrom) and $21 million annually (Eagles<\/a> left guard Landon Dickerson). So, a four-year, $90 million deal for Smith, averaging $22.5 million annually, would make him the highest-paid guard in NFL history\u2014a win-win for both sides.<\/p>\n

Impact of Signing Trey Smith<\/h3>\n

What makes Trey Smith such a compelling target? His elite run-blocking skills and durability. Since entering the league in 2021, he\u2019s missed only one game<\/a> and has consistently ranked among the top run-blocking guards, currently 12th according to PFF.<\/a> Bears fans have every reason to be excited:<\/p>\n