Report: Chiefs' Trey Smith signs franchise tag

Offensive guard Trey Smith signed the one-year, $23.4-million franchise tag the Kansas City Chiefs placed on him last month, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The agreement makes Smith the NFL's highest-paid guard. The Chiefs would like to work out a long-term deal, and both sides have until July 15 to agree to one. If a new contract is not finalized, Smith will play under the franchise tag next season.

Kansas City placed the tag on the 25-year-old in February to prevent him from speaking with other clubs ahead of free agency. Smith was one of only two players - alongside Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins - to be tagged before the league's March 1 deadline.

Smith has emerged as a stalwart on the Chiefs' offensive line since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. He's started 67 of a possible 68 games over four campaigns.

The Chiefs made a change on the offensive line this offseason, reportedly trading Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.