The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line gave up six sacks during their 40–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. The Chiefs need to take every precaution this offseason to guarantee that quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the protection he needs to contend in the postseason once more.
Trey Smith, the starting guard, is not under contract for the upcoming season, which is a major worry. Losing Smith, who just earned his first Pro Bowl, might put the team at a disadvantage because of the offensive line’s weaknesses. Smith, 25, is starting his sixth season in the NFL. Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 14th-best guard.
Kansas City Chiefs cannot allow Smith to test the free-agent market given their offensive line problems. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed that the Chiefs want to franchise-tag Smith. The one-year contract is anticipated to be worth $23.4 million if he plays under the franchise tag, according to NFL Network.
Smith will receive the highest salary of any guard in the NFL with this one-year contract, and other team areas may suffer if one interior offensive lineman receives $23.4 million. Running back Isiah Pacheco is going to experience the consequences of Smith’s franchise tag, and the worst part of paying one player is not being able to pay others.
After this season, Tony Pauline of cricbuzz is unsure if Pacheco, 26, who is in the final year of his contract, will return to Kansas City. According to Pauline, Pacheco will not be extended by the Chiefs this summer.
“An extension for running back Isiah Pacheco, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, won’t be considered until the season starts and the former seventh-round pick proves he’s back to health and prior form.” Pauline wrote. “Offensive lineman Trey Smith is the priority, as the team hopes to sign their Pro Bowl guard, who will reportedly receive the franchise tag.”
Pacheco missed the most of previous season due to a fibula injury, and he only played in seven regular-season games. The Chiefs hired free agency running back Kareem Hunt in lieu of Pacheco, and Hunt performed admirably, amassing 728 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games during the regular season.
Pacheco missed ten games as Kansas City ended the season with a 15-2 record. Without their brilliant running back, the Chiefs’ offence didn’t falter, which may lead to a change in the team’s summer strategy.
