Bears Given Great News on Dream Offseason Addition
NFL free agency officially begins on March 12, giving Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles less than a month to decide who he'll target in the open market.
After an underwhelming 2024 campaign, the Bears have plenty of needs to address, including an offensive line that finished 15th in terms of run blocking, per Pro Football Focus. Fortunately, several upcoming free-agent guards are more than capable of helping Poles address that issue, with one potential name being Kansas City Chiefs blocker Trey Smith.
With how consistent his protection can be, there was a time when few people expected the Chiefs to let Smith reach the open market. Now that the Super Bowl is over, it looks like the Bears will have a legitimate shot at adding the Pro Bowl guard.
Bears Rumors: Chiefs Will Let Trey Smith Reach Free Agency
On Wednesday, The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that the Chiefs will likely let Smith test the open waters as a free agent next month.
"I would say there's still a good chance Smith becomes a free agent," Biggs wrote. "If he does, you can expect him to reset the market as the top-paid guard in the league. The Bears would have competition if he's a free agent."
📬Will Trey Smith hit free agency after KC was trampled?
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) February 12, 2025
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📬If top options are off the board, what are the chances for Ashton Jeanty at No. 10?
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As one of the top guards in the NFL, few people would be shocked by the potential attention Smith would draw as a free agent.
A former 2021 sixth-round selection, Smith has been an integral part of the Chiefs' offensive line throughout the last four seasons. The former Tennessee Volunteer took his play to new heights with his first-ever Pro Bowl nod after finishing the 2024 campaign as one of the top OGs in terms of run blocking (77.9, 10th) and overall offense (75.1, 14th) on PFF.
After a performance like that, Spotrac projects that Smith could earn $19.7 million annually on his next deal. Such a deal would instantly make him the highest player at his position, surpassing Indianapolis Colts OG Quenton Nelson ($16.5 million in 2025).
Signing Smith would cost a pretty penny, however, it's a price the Bears can afford considering how they have over $64.8 million to spend this offseason — sixth-most in the NFL. If he's successfully signed, his presence could be the key to unlocking Chicago's offensive potential.
In the meantime, the Bears can't negotiate with Smith until the tampering period begins on Monday, March 10.
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