The 2025 NFL Free Agency period is still several weeks away and the NFL Draft is still more than two months away. it is not a secret that the Chicago Bears need to fix their offensive line this offseason. The player many fans are hoping the Bears will acquire is Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
Smith is a free agent who has won two Super Bowls, and he could have won his third consecutive ring before they got roughed up by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59. He and his entire offensive line were badly beaten by their defense as they could not handle Philadelphia's pressure.
Still, Smith was the least of the Chiefs' problems in the Super Bowl, and he will get paid handsomely on the open market by the Bears or someone else. Many experts have put Smith as the best fit for the Bears when free agency begins.
But there is a chance Smith will not hit the open market. Their star tight end Travis Kelce hinted at retirement this offseason, which would free up $17.25 million in cap space, giving Kansas City some space to bring back Smith.
The Bears need to have a Plan B in case Trey Smith does not hit free agency.
The NFL's Franchise Tage window is open. There is a chance that the Chiefs will place a franchise tag on Smith, but as Adam Schefter points out, it's not too likely.
Even if Smith hits the market, he will be paid well over $21 million annually, which will reset the market for guards for years to come. As far as Plan B, the best available guards outside of Smith are Will Fries, who will likely get paid well himself, and Kevin Zeitler, who played for Ben Johnson this past season in Detroit but is 34 years old. There are not many attractive options available, so it is understandable if it is a Trey Smith or bust mentality for many fans.
Still, the Bears fan better be prepared when the news of the Chiefs using any kind of tag to keep Smith from either leaving or force teams to give up hefty compensations for his rights.