LEAKED: Trey Smith Nearly Walked Away from $94M—One Clause in the Deal Changed His Mind Instantly
The Kansas City Chiefs’ blockbuster signing of Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith to a four-year, $94 million contract extension on July 15, 2025, sent shockwaves through the NFL, making him the highest-paid guard in league history. But what few know is that the deal nearly fell apart at the eleventh hour. According to sources close to the negotiations, Smith was prepared to walk away from the massive $94 million offer—until a single clause in the contract changed his mind instantly. This exclusive report delves into the high-stakes drama, the mysterious clause, and how it secured Smith’s future with the Chiefs.
The Context: A Tense Negotiation
Trey Smith, a sixth-round steal in the 2021 NFL Draft, had become indispensable to the Chiefs’ offensive line. His journey from a health-scarred prospect to a 2024 Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion showcased his resilience and talent. By 2025, with his rookie contract expiring, the Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Smith in February, securing him for a one-year, $23.4 million deal. This move gave both sides until July 15, 2025, to negotiate a long-term extension—or Smith would play the 2025 season under the tag, with the possibility of free agency in 2026.
Negotiations, handled by Smith’s agents, Jimmy Sexton and Tory Dandy of CAA, were complex. The Chiefs, led by general manager Brett Veach, were determined to lock up Smith, who had started 67 of 68 regular-season games and allowed just 1.5 sacks in 2024. However, the franchise tag’s $23.4 million salary already made Smith the highest-paid guard for a single season, giving him significant leverage. Sources indicate that Smith’s camp was pushing for a deal that not only topped the market—set by Philadelphia’s Landon Dickerson at $21 million annually—but also provided long-term security.
As the deadline approached, tensions mounted. Rumors swirled that Smith was considering playing out the franchise tag, a move that would have allowed him to test free agency in 2026, where teams like the Chicago Bears were reportedly prepared to offer a massive contract. Social media posts even speculated about Smith’s wife house-hunting in Chicago, though these claims were unverified. The Chiefs, meanwhile, were juggling a tight salary cap, with Patrick Mahomes’ cap hit set to balloon to $78.2 million in 2026 and existing high-value contracts for Creed Humphrey ($72 million) and Jawaan Taylor ($80 million).
The Breaking Point: Why Smith Nearly Walked Away
According to insider reports, negotiations hit a snag in the final days before the July 15 deadline. While the Chiefs offered a four-year, $94 million deal with $70 million guaranteed—surpassing Dickerson’s $84 million and Quenton Nelson’s $60 million in guaranteed money—Smith’s camp hesitated. The sticking point wasn’t the money but the structure of the contract. Smith, aware of his leverage with the $23.4 million franchise tag and the potential for a second tag at $28 million in 2026, was wary of committing to a deal that didn’t meet his long-term goals.
Sources suggest Smith was prepared to walk away, opting to play under the franchise tag and bet on himself in free agency. This strategy would have allowed him to capitalize on a weaker 2026 guard market, potentially securing an even larger payday. Additionally, Smith’s camp was reportedly concerned about the Chiefs’ ability to manage their salary cap, especially after trading All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Bears and committing to a revamped offensive line with newcomers like Jaylon Moore and Kingsley Suamataia.
The deadlock persisted until the final hours, when a 43-second phone call—previously reported as a pivotal moment—set the stage for a breakthrough. While the identity of the caller remains speculative (possibly Veach, Sexton, or a family member), it’s now clear that the call led to the introduction of a critical clause that turned the tide.
The Clause That Changed Everything
The game-changing clause, according to leaked details, was a guarantee acceleration clause tied to the contract’s injury guarantees. Specifically, the Chiefs agreed to a provision that fully guarantees Smith’s 2027 base salary of $23.25 million as of the third day of the 2026 league year, provided he remains on the roster and healthy. This clause, combined with the $46.75 million fully guaranteed at signing and a $17 million signing bonus, ensured that $70 million of the deal was virtually locked in, giving Smith unprecedented security for an NFL guard.
This clause was a masterstroke. It addressed Smith’s concerns about long-term financial security while allowing the Chiefs to spread the cap hit more manageably. The acceleration of the 2027 guarantee meant that Smith wouldn’t face the uncertainty of a non-guaranteed final year, a common sticking point in NFL contracts. “It’s a great deal for Smith, especially since it has only one non-guaranteed year on the back end,” a source told NBC Sports. This structure was particularly appealing to Smith, who had overcome blood clots in college and valued the assurance of guaranteed money.
The clause’s impact was immediate. Within hours of its inclusion, Smith agreed to the deal, finalized just before the 4 p.m. deadline on July 15. The contract’s $23.5 million average annual value eclipsed Dickerson’s $21 million and Chris Lindstrom’s $20.4 million, cementing Smith’s status as the NFL’s top-paid guard. Patrick Mahomes celebrated the news with a smiling emoji on X, reflecting the relief and excitement within the Chiefs’ organization.
The Aftermath: A Win for Both Sides
The inclusion of the guarantee acceleration clause not only secured Smith but also solidified the Chiefs’ offensive line as one of the NFL’s best. With Smith and All-Pro center Creed Humphrey anchoring the interior, alongside new additions like Josh Simmons, the Chiefs addressed their 2024 weaknesses—41 sacks allowed and a 22nd-ranked rushing attack. The deal also provided cap relief, replacing the $23.4 million franchise tag with a more manageable $27 million cap hit in 2025.
For Smith, the contract was a triumph. The $70 million in guarantees, the most ever for an NFL guard, rewarded his journey from a sixth-round pick to a cornerstone of two Super Bowl-winning teams. His reliability—missing just one game in four seasons—and performance (allowing just 1.5 sacks in 2024) justified the record-breaking deal. Smith’s focus remained on the field, as he told FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams”: “I lose sleep thinking about protecting Patrick [Mahomes].”
The Bigger Picture: A New Standard for Guards
Smith’s contract has reset the guard market, with implications for future negotiations across the NFL. The $23.5 million annual average and $70 million in guarantees set a new benchmark, surpassing previous records held by Dickerson and Nelson. The Chiefs’ willingness to pay two interior linemen—Smith and Humphrey—over $50 million guaranteed is unprecedented, signaling a growing recognition of the position’s value in protecting quarterbacks like Mahomes.
The mysterious 43-second phone call and the guarantee acceleration clause will go down as defining moments in Smith’s career. While the caller’s identity remains unclear, the clause’s impact is undeniable: it kept Smith in Kansas City, ensured his financial security, and positioned the Chiefs for another Super Bowl run in 2026. As training camp opens on July 22, 2025, Chiefs fans can rest easy knowing their star guard is locked in—and that one clause made all the difference.
