You know that feeling when you find a good thing, and you just wanna stick with it—and never let it go. Yeah, that’s the feeling Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith is giving right now. He’s the type of guy who doesn’t shy away from expressing his desire to keep rocking that Chiefs Kingdom red. So, what’s actually going on in Smith’s mind in a pivotal year where his long-term future is still hanging in the balance?

Hopping on the Up & Adams show, Kay asked Trey, “You were one of two players, my friend, to be franchise-tagged this year. Tee Higgins got his deal. What’s up? Where are we? Where are we in the process?” Here’s the thing: After getting franchise-tagged for the second time in his career, the Bengals gave a mammoth contract to their WR2. Signing him for a 4-year, $115M extension that keeps him in the Jungle for at least 2029. And apparently, the only other player who got franchise-tagged this year isn’t even remotely close to a long-term contract. 

It’s been almost a month since the Chiefs franchise-tagged Smith. And with the deadline set at July 15 for a long-term deal. There hasn’t been any breaking news as such surrounding his future. But it seems Smith isn’t focused on contractual gossip. He told Kay, “Ultimately, man, I gotta really focus on just working out and training.” Not before adding his true desires, “I love Kansas City. It’s my home. I love the Chiefs; the fans in Kansas City are some of the best people I’ve ever been around. And..I would love to stay there. That’s my plan.” So, there you have it, Chiefs. You know what to do right now. Surely, you wouldn’t like to drag his future till next year, right? 

I mean, the franchise tag that will cost the Chiefs $23.4M for a year already making Smith the highest-paid guard in the league. To be honest, there won’t be a single soul, at least in Kansas City, who will call it undeserved. Starting 67 of 68 regular season games in his 4 years with the Chiefs, you can’t name a more consistent player than Trey. Adding to his consistency, Smith has been equally sublime in the Chiefs’ O-line. Just last year, when Patrick Mahomes was sacked 36 times. Smith only allowed one sack and 34 QB pressures.

He even earned his first Pro Bowl nod in doing so. Still only 25, and with a lot ahead of him, surely, the Chiefs aren’t going to keep him hanging for long. Sooner or later, they will have to give him his more-than-deserved longer deal. Especially after they gave it to someone who didn’t really deserve an extension. The Chiefs need to act quicker, or Patrick Mahomes might need to take the Joe Burrow route.

Patrick Mahomes waits for Hollywood Brown to hit the ground running

You have to go back to 2021; the last time, injuries didn’t really hamper Brown’s campaign. Playing in Baltimore with Lamar Jackson, Brown posted a career-high 91 catches and 1,008 yards. Since that year, injuries have taken a toll on Brown’s playing time and production. His two seasons with the Cardinals saw him rack up only 1,283 yards on 118 catches and just 7 TDs. Foot injuries and heel injuries restricted him to only 24 starts. Then, riding on the hope to start a fresh chapter in Kansas City. Brown was signed for a 1-year deal.

But in last year’s preseason opener, a sternoclavicular injury shattered his dreams to make an instant impact. After undergoing surgery on his shoulder, Brown eventually returned in week 16. Only playing 2 regular season games and 3 in the postseason. Brown’s numbers were absolutely horrible. His season ended with only 141 passing yards on 14 receptions. Still, the Chiefs decided to offer him an extension, surprising a lot out there. They gave him kind of an identical one-year deal worth up to $11M.

And after signing his lifeline to prove his worth to the Chiefs’ faithful. Brown said, “I knew all along I wanted to be back. They voiced their opinions of wanting me back, and we had some unfinished business. I know I had a great start to my camp and getting hurt, you know, it’s just we all wanted to see it come together. So glad we got it done.” Now, it’s completely up to Brown. The Chiefs have done their part and stood beside Brown. Now, Brown has to repay the faith shown in him. What do you think? Can he prove himself this season?