KANSAS CITY — As the Kansas City Chiefs head into an offseason defined by difficult financial choices, one of the team’s most reliable offensive pillars has made his position clear.
Once Trey Smith learned that he might no longer be firmly embedded in the Chiefs’ long-term plans, the veteran guard didn’t wait for the situation to escalate. Instead, he moved quickly — offering to restructure his contract in an effort to help the organization navigate a tightening cap landscape and keep the roster competitive.
According to league cap projections, Kansas City is facing a significant salary-cap shortfall entering the 2026 season. Smith’s current deal places his 2026 cap hit at roughly $19.75 million, an unusually high figure for a right guard, even one with his résumé. By converting a portion of that base salary into a signing bonus and spreading it over additional years, a restructure could free up approximately $11.4 million in 2026 cap space.
The gesture speaks volumes about Smith’s priorities.
“Money isn’t the issue for me right now,” Smith said. “I love Kansas City. I believe in this locker room and what we’re still building. If restructuring my contract helps us stay competitive and gives me a chance to keep wearing this uniform, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
From a football standpoint, Smith is not an easy piece to replace. A full-time starter since his rookie season, he has been a stabilizing force on the interior offensive line, consistently grading among the league’s better guards and providing critical protection for Patrick Mahomes. With offensive line inconsistency cited internally as a factor in the Chiefs’ offensive regression during the 2025 season, keeping Smith in place carries real on-field value.
Smith is also approaching a pivotal point in his career. After the 2025 season, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent, entering a market where elite guards routinely command $15–20 million annually. For a cap-strained Chiefs team, a short-term restructure offers a realistic bridge — preserving a core starter now while buying time to sort out a longer-term solution.
Inside the organization, the reaction to Smith’s proposal has been described as respectful but measured. The Chiefs appreciate the willingness to sacrifice, but any restructure would still need to align with broader roster and cap planning.
Still, in an offseason filled with tough conversations, Smith’s stance delivers a clear message: if there’s a path to stay in Kansas City, he’s ready to take it — even if it means giving something up along the way.
“Good Luck to the New Coach”: Skip Bayless Issues Aaron Rodgers Warning to Steelers’ Next Coach-vdt
Skip Bayless sent a blunt message to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next head coach as the franchise moves on from Mike Tomlin. His warning centers on the unique challenge of managing Aaron Rodgers, whose future in Pittsburgh remains a storyline for the offseason.
Rodgers’ relationship with the organization has been complex since he arrived, and any incoming coach must navigate an established veteran with clear expectations and a powerful voice in the locker room. Skip framed the situation as a test of temperament and authority, suggesting that the next coach will need both football acumen and political savvy to handle Rodgers and the locker room dynamics that accompany a superstar quarterback.
Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs off the field after the game against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Reports have suggested that one hire in particular could make Rodgers more amenable to returning, but even that scenario carries risk and reward for the team. The coach who follows Tomlin inherits not only a quarterback of rare pedigree but also a roster and fan base hungry for short‑term success. Balancing Rodgers’ desires with the organization’s long‑term plan will be a central challenge during the transition.
Steelers players and local media have already begun to parse how new leadership might alter culture, schemes and free‑agent appeal. The coach‑search process now includes evaluating candidates for fit beyond Xs and Os, with greater emphasis on communication style, relationship building and the ability to integrate veteran personalities into a cohesive program.
Skip Bayless Warns Future Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach About Aaron Rodgers
Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Bayless issued a warning for anyone getting the head coaching gig in Pittsburgh. This can be seen in a post shared by the sports analyst on X.
For the prospective coach, success will depend on quick rapport with Rodgers, a clear strategic vision and the flexibility to manage both immediate expectations and a multi‑year roadmap. Failure to win Rodgers’ trust or to deliver early results could accelerate scrutiny and shorten the new coach’s leash in a demanding market.
Skip’s warning is a reminder that coaching hires are as much about people management as play diagrams. The Steelers’ decision will reverberate across the league, shaping Aaron Rodgers’ next chapter and defining the franchise’s direction for seasons to come.
The incoming coach inherits a delicate balancing act between star power and organizational steadiness. How Pittsburgh handles that calculus will determine whether the change produces championship momentum or a messy power struggle.