Trey Smith is the golden goose of this free agency period, at least from the perspective of Chicago Bears fans. That isn't a surprise. Experts agree he is the best offensive lineman set to hit the market. The fact he plays right guard, a position that has haunted the Bears for years, only enhanced his value. Unfortunately, nobody has been able to determine if he will be available or not. Rumblings have persisted that the Kansas City Chiefs are trying to find creative ways to keep the former Pro Bowler.
One method would be using the transition tag on him, allowing them the right of first refusal. That means they would be able to match any deal Smith accepts from another team. However, Nate Taylor of The Athletic dismissed that possibility in his latest column. From what he's gathered, the Chiefs have no intention of using any tags on Smith. That means he's hitting the market unless they somehow extend him before March 15th.
"If Smith is going to return, it doesn’t look like it will be under a tag. Nate Taylor of The Athletic.com reports that the Chiefs are not expected to use either tag on Smith in the coming weeks.
Tagging guards and centers is complicated by all offensive linemen being grouped together when it comes to the values of the tags. Tackles drive that price up and it usually results in teams trying to re-sign interior linemen without using tags to maintain their control of their futures.
It appears that will be the case for Smith and it could result in a sizable hole on the offensive line in Kansas City."
There is one additional nugget.
While it's never officially been confirmed, Smith appears to be dating digital journalist and Emmy Award-winner Maya Micole. She happens to live in Chicago. That would certainly give the guard an added incentive to come here should he hit the market.
Trey Smith will follow the money.
Remember, the allure of winning won't appeal to him as it might to other free agents. He already has two Super Bowl rings. His goal now is to maximize his value while he can, which means seeking out the best possible contract. Yes, the Bears have some key advantages. Ryan Poles helped draft him in 2021. Ben Johnson, the new head coach, is an offensive wizard. His (alleged) girlfriend lives in the city. However, this will come down to cash for Trey Smith.
Poles has shied away from throwing a top-of-the-market deal at free agents up to this point. He won't get away with that here. Other teams are prepared to throw money at Smith. Chicago must be ready to do the same. They have more than enough to make it happen without crippling their books. Just don't get cute. Come out strong and make it clear how much you want him.
