The transfer appears good for the Chiefs, who tied for the league’s fourth-most pressures allowed (163) final season, per Pro Football Reference.
The 26-year-old O-lineman earned his first Professional Bowl choice final season after permitting no sacks on 708 pass-block snaps in 17 regular-season video games, per Pro Football Focus.
Smith ranked No. 4 in ESPN author Jeremy Fowler’s annual top-10 rating of inside O-linemen, which featured ideas from scouts, coaches and executives. Chiefs middle Creed Humphrey — getting into the second yr of a four-year deal — ranked No. 1.
“Energy, brute power, physicality — he is a people-mover and a people-stopper,” an AFC government stated of Smith, through Fowler.
The inside of the Chiefs O-line appears solidified with Smith and Humphrey within the fold. Nonetheless, that will not reply questions at left sort out.
The Chiefs dealt O-lineman Joe Thuney, a 2024 first-team All-Professional, to the Chicago Bears in March. PFF credited him with 218 snaps at left sort out final season.
Whether or not the Chiefs have a alternative for Thuney on their lively roster stays unclear. Kansas Metropolis signed left sort out Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30M deal in free company, however he did not earn a Professional Bowl or All-Professional nod in 4 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Chiefs took Ohio State offensive sort out Josh Simmons (choose No. 32) within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft. He suffered a season-ending left knee damage in October 2024 however is predicted to be prepared for the beginning of coaching camp on July 21.
“Simmons can nonetheless be inclined to twists and counters in go professional, so he would possibly want a yr to proceed honing his craft in that space earlier than he is able to tackle NFL pocket hunters,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.
Re-signing Smith offers stability, however the Chiefs O-line may nonetheless be a piece in progress, particularly after quarterback Patrick Mahomes took six sacks in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX.
