All indications are that general manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears will make fortifying the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams the top organizational priority this offseason, and as free agency nears it seems one of the premier linemen available is poised to hit the open market.
On February 18, the date that the window for teams to apply the franchise or transition tag on one of their impending free agents opened, there was some thought that the Kansas City Chiefs may use one of the tags to keep Trey Smith in the fold.
However, given that the transition tag alone is set to cost $22.74 million and the franchise tag $25.16 million for offensive linemen this offseason, combined with the Chiefs projected to currently be upwards of $2.6 million over the cap, there’s a decent chance Smith winds up reaching free agency.
According to new reporting from Nate Taylor of The Athletic, the Chiefs don’t plan to use either tag on Smith.
Will the Chicago Bears prioritize signing Trey Smith?
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
As the offseason begins in earnest, Smith and the Bears have been linked as an ideal fit.
Chicago is well positioned financially, with upwards of $53.9 million in effective cap space to win the Smith sweepstakes.
The 25-year-old stalwart would bring big-time experience from his two Super Bowl championships to the Bears’ offensive line as well as the pedigree that comes with making a Pro Bowl appearance in his first four seasons since being chosen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-6 and 321 pounds, Smith did not allow a sack last season.
Adding Smith would be a major cornerstone signing along the Bears’ offensive line and the kind of move that could pay immediate and immense dividends in Williams’ development in 2025 and beyond.
Chicago Bears should keep an eye on Ohio State standout in the 2025 draft
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