Chicago Bears expected to offer Kansas City Chiefs’ Trey Smith a record $105 million contract

The Chicago Bears cannot afford another disaster on the offensive line. Sixty-eight sacks last season. Dead last in the NFL. Caleb Williams barely had a chance to breathe. If they want their No. 1 overall pick to succeed, fixing this line isn’t optional—it’s survival.
Enter Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith. At 25, he’s already one of the best guards in the league. He’s played over 1,200 snaps every season since being drafted in 2021. He doesn’t miss games. He doesn’t miss assignments. He doesn’t get bullied.
The Bears reportedly plan to offer Smith a five-year, $105 million deal. That would make him one of the highest-paid guards in history. It’s a massive commitment, but if they don’t do it, someone else will.

Kansas City wants to keep Trey Smith. But wanting and affording are two very different things. The Chiefs are sitting on just $3.2 million in cap space, while the Bears have $63 million to spend.
According to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs are unlikely to use the franchise tag on Smith. “The Chiefs are not expected to place the franchise tag or the transition tag on Smith, according to a league source.” If Kansas City can’t work out a long-term deal before free agency, Smith is gone.
And Chicago is ready to pounce.

Trey Smith knows Darnell Wright. They played side by side at Tennessee for two years. That chemistry matters.
Rebuilding an offensive line isn’t just about talent—it’s about trust. Smith and Wright have already been through it together. Putting them on the right side of the Bears’ line would give Williams something he didn’t have last year: protection.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report pointed out the potential impact of this pairing: “If Smith does end up in the Windy City, he’ll be reunited with stalwart right tackle Darnell Wright. Smith played next to Wright for two years at Tennessee, and the two could jump-start a flailing Bears offensive line together in 2025.”
The Bears aren’t just throwing money at a problem. They’re building a foundation.

The Bears’ reported $105 million offer would be the new gold standard for guards. Right now, Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom holds the record with a $102.5 million contract. Philadelphia Eagles’ Landon Dickerson sits at $84 million, with $21 million per year. If Chicago closes this deal, Smith becomes the highest-paid guard in NFL history.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked Smith as the No. 2 free agent in 2025, behind only Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. “Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Bears general manager Ryan Poles could make a splash move to rebuild the front for Ben Johnson’s new offense.”
This isn’t just about Chicago. Once Smith signs, every team with a high-end guard will have to reconsider their price tags.
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