The Kansas City Chiefs are making significant moves this offseason, starting with the announcement that tight end Travis Kelce will return for his 13th season. The Chiefs have placed the transition franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith, which temporarily puts them over the salary cap. Veteran lineman Joe Thuney has been traded to the Chicago Bears for a future draft pick, which will help the Chiefs manage their cap situation. With the addition of Kingsley Suamataia to the left guard position, the Chiefs now face a pressing need for a left tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes.

As the draft approaches, the Chiefs might be looking to trade up for a premier tackle. Missouri’s Armand Membou and LSU’s Will Campbell are top prospects, while Josh Simmons from Ohio State stands out as a potential late-first round pick. Simmons' injury history may allow the Chiefs to snag him at a lower position, but other teams may also be eyeing him. If he’s available at the right spot, Kansas City could employ similar strategies to last year, when they moved up for Xavier Worthy. Expect them to be aggressive in pursuing their ideal left tackle.

The Kansas City Chiefs shocked the NFL by trading star offensive lineman Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, leaving a notable gap in their offensive line. With Thuney gone, the Chiefs will need to bolster their protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, particularly as they aim for a Super Bowl return next season. They are looking to secure a long-term deal for fellow offensive lineman Trey Smith, who was franchise tagged, indicating his importance to the team's future. Additionally, the Chiefs are eyeing free-agent tackle Ronnie Stanley from the Ravens, which could address their problematic left tackle position and strengthen Mahomes' protection.

NFL Analyst Nate Tice emphasized the urgency for the Chiefs to fill multiple offensive line roles, suggesting they still require skilled players across several positions, including a running back and receivers. The Chiefs find themselves with a challenging offseason ahead as they navigate these roster changes.

As NFL agents prepare for the upcoming free agency period, understanding the market dynamics is essential. Several teams are already eyeing potential unrestricted free agents following informal discussions during the NFL Scouting Combine. Agents must gauge interest accurately to set appropriate asking prices, especially in a climate where some players may face a soft market. The window for negotiations opens on March 10, 2025, allowing teams to talk to agents regarding potential signings.

This year’s landscape features notable players like Sam Darnold, Tee Higgins, and Trey Smith, each with their unique situations influencing contract negotiations. Darnold had a standout season with the Minnesota Vikings, leading to expectations for a lucrative deal, while Higgins has been tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, seeking a long-term commitment. Smith's franchise tag places him among the top offensive linemen available, pointing to shifting trends in contract valuations.

This offseason, NFL teams were surprisingly passive as only two players were tagged before the franchise tag deadline, the lowest count since 1994. The Cincinnati Bengals applied the franchise tag to Tee Higgins to secure a long-term deal after previous negotiations fell through, guaranteeing him a salary of $26.2 million, up from $21.8 million last season. The Kansas City Chiefs tagged right guard Trey Smith, making him the highest-paid guard in the league at $23.4 million for 2025. The stagnant tagging activity is attributed to a less enticing free agent class and rising salary costs.

The NFL's franchise tag window has closed with a record low of just two players, Tee Higgins and Trey Smith, receiving the franchise tag. This marks a significant decrease from last year's eight players and the average of 9.2 tags per year over the last five seasons. The franchise tag prevents these players from entering free agency until a potential long-term deal can be negotiated by July 15.

Trey Smith, a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, was tagged on February 27, which surprised many due to the high cost associated with tagging guards. This decision positions him as the highest-paid guard in the league. Meanwhile, Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals has been tagged for the second consecutive year as talks of a long-term deal with quarterback Joe Burrow continue, with both players seeking higher contracts. Other teams opted against tagging players, including the Minnesota Vikings, who did not tag quarterback Sam Darnold.