What Trey Smith would bring to the Chicago Bears' offensive line

Kansas City Chiefs' right guard Trey Smith needs a new deal going into the 2025 season. If the Chiefs allow him to hit free agency, the Bears should be first in line to acquire the 25-year-old.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson made it clear during his introductory press conference how he feels about the team’s offensive line.

“Yeah, I think offensive line is certainly an area that we need to get better play from going forward, something that Ryan (Poles) and I have already talked about,” Johnson said. “We will develop a plan of attack for how to get that done, but I'm looking forward to getting an excellent offensive line coach in the building to help develop the young talent that we already have on the roster, and we will certainly talk about acquiring talent to bolster that unit as well. But I was certainly blessed the last few years with the men that I worked with. And that was something I would love to replicate here as well.”

Johnson has already addressed one aspect that should immediately impact the offensive line: acquiring Dan Rouschar to coach the unit. The veteran coach has a track record of developing and maximizing talent. When Rouschar became the Saints’ offensive line coach from 2016 to 2020, guards Andrus Peat, Larry Warford and center Max Unger made seven combined Pro Bowls.

Now, the next part is to acquire talent. Free agency will be the first opportunity to bolster the offensive line. And the most-coveted interior offensive lineman — if he hits free agency — is Kansas City Chiefs’ right guard Trey Smith.

The 25-year-old guard plays with an edge that would be much-needed in Chicago. In the 2024 regular season, he played the ninth most snaps at guard (1,115) and allowed zero sacks to finish his first Pro Bowl season. The former sixth-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2021 has only missed one game in four seasons.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith’s projected contract is set at four years, $20.5 million per year with $50 million guaranteed and $82 million total. If the Chiefs can work around those numbers, then Smith will likely stay in Kansas City.

However, if there is a chance Smith hits free agency, Bears general manager Ryan Poles needs to find every way possible to bring Smith to Chicago. One of the three interior O-line positions would be filled, which also — more importantly — helps Caleb Williams as he enters his second season in the NFL.

For those unfamiliar with Smith’s game, here’s a look at two of his highest-graded games using PFF as a run blocker against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 and as a pass blocker against the Buccaneers in Week 9.

Run Blocking vs. Bengals (88.3 grade)

Smith’s physicality consistently shows up as a run blocker. He has powerful hands, drives his legs to help push the pile and will play until the whistle blows.

On this 11-yard run, the Bengals defensive tackle slides to Smith’s outside shoulder, which helps him to secure his block. But Smith got inside of B.J. Hill’s pads with his right hand and used his left hand to swipe away the Bengals’ right arm. Smith put himself between the running back and defender — allowing Isiah Pacheco to burst free. Smith saw a mile forming and attempted to gain a few additional yards with a push at the end of the play.

A small detail that is also notable in Smith’s film is the willingness to help his teammates on the ground. He did it consistently in the two games highlighted above.

Here is another 10-yard run from Pacheco. On this play, 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle Jay Tufele is lined up on Smith’s inside shoulder in a 2i. Chiefs’ center Chris Humphrey helped Smith with quick contact that allowed Smith to get on the inside of Tufele’s right hip. Smith absorbed the contact and stayed close to the Bengals’ defensive tackle and that helped keep the gap open long enough for the run to hit on second-and-5.