In the case of starting right guard Trey Smith, the Kansas City Chiefs elected to utilize a short-term solution in order to keep the coveted offensive lineman off the open market ahead of free agency.

So far, this plan has worked, as Smith signed KC’s $23.402 million franchise tag without issue. But a more permanent solution is still on the docket, and Smith confirmed he would also prefer a long-term contract with the Chiefs while speaking with NFL host Kay Adams on her “Up & Adams” show with FanDuel TV.

“Ultimately, I can only focus on working out and training,” Smith told Adams when asked about long-term contract negotiations. “I love Kansas City, it’s my home. I love the Chiefs. The fans in Kansas City are some of the best people I’ve ever been around.”

Finally, Smith added very candidly that “I would love to stay [with the Chiefs].” He concluded that extending with KC is his “plan” for his NFL future.

With the bulk of 2025 free agency now in the past, Smith and the Chiefs are expected to try and work out a long-term deal sooner rather than later.

Since they franchise tagged Smith, Kansas City has made it very clear that this current financial agreement is just a placeholder until the two parties work out something agreeable for 2026 and beyond.

With Smith and the Chiefs both wanting the same thing, the hard part is already accomplished. Now, they just have to iron out the fine print and the smaller details.

Aka, the business side of football.

Smith is a Pro Bowl right guard who has also been incredibly durable since entering the league — with 67 regular season starts and another 13 playoff starts in four years. He’s already a two-time Super Bowl champion starter and he’s never earned a season-long Pro Football Focus grade under 72.0.

Needless to say, he deserves to get paid. The only questions are when, and how much

The Chiefs entered the offseason with questions on the offensive line, and although some areas have improved — Jaylon Moore should be an upgrade on Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia at left tackle — and others have stayed the same when some thought they wouldn’t (Smith), there are still questions on the O-line ahead of the draft.

The first is Moore himself. Will the inexperienced starter live up to KC’s high expectations? And if he doesn’t, what’s the backup plan at left tackle with Joe Thuney no longer on the roster?

That leads us straight into question number two. What’s the plan at left guard without the ever-reliable Thuney?

Presumably, the Chiefs will hold some sort of training camp competition between Suamataia, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, C.J. Hanson and potentially, an incoming rookie. Will this be a completely open competition, or will there be a frontrunner going in?

The final questions are the all-encompassing ones. Is this offensive line better than the 2024 unit that failed Kansas City in the Super Bowl? And will this group keep superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes safe and healthy as he enters the back half of his career?

Above all else, there is no greater Chiefs question than that.