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The Kansas City Chiefs, as has become a yearly tradition, still have more games to play as January winds down. But soon, their roster could be plundered.
It always happens to the best teams in a given sport: you build a dynasty, other teams look to copy your success, and they pay premiums to poach your best talent. And this spring, the Chiefs look to have one of the best players available in free agency.
Guard Trey Smith, who is rated as Pro Football Focus' number-two impending free agent, is projected for a four-year, $79 million contract by Spotrac. The 6-foot-6, 321-pound monster is one of the top talents at the entire position and is hitting free agency at only 25 years old.
Should the Chiefs be worried about a former playoff rival poaching Smith from them this spring?
On Wednesday, PFF's Mason Cameron named the New England Patriots as the best fit for Smith in free agency.
"With a glowing resume to boot and the youth to further develop, Trey Smith is entering free agency at the perfect time to cash in. And who better to sign that check than the team projected to hold the most cap space ($120 million) in the NFL this offseason?" Cameron wrote.
"The Patriots need to work fast to rebuild their offensive line, or they risk hindering the development of their young passer, Drake Maye. This offense ranked 29th in pressure rate allowed (39%) and surrendered the second-most interior pressures (118) in the NFL in 2024."
Before the Chiefs were the winning machine that they are right now, the Patriots were the dominant force of the AFC, making eight straight conference championship appearances from 2011-2018. The Chiefs have now made seven in a row, beginning with the final year of the Patriots' streak.
Though the 4-13 Patriots are a long way from competing with the Chiefs now, signing KC's top lineman to protect their promising young passer would be a big step in the that direction.
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