The Chicago Bears won't get a chance to sign Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith in free agency, but this new projection by ESPN suggests they'll still land a veteran starter.

On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs officially announced their decision to place a non-exclusive franchise tender on star OL Trey Smith.

The Chicago Bears’ free agency plans were dealt a brutal blow when it was announced the Kansas City Chiefs are franchising tagging star guard Trey Smith.

The Kansas City Chiefs' top priority this offseason should be re-signing Trey Smith. He is the top offensive lineman available and is in line for a massive payday.

ET on March 4, all 32 teams are permitted to apply a franchise tag to one of their pending free agents. The one-year tender, which is fully guaranteed, is

Barring a tag-and-trade scenario, Trey Smith won't hit free agency. The Chicago Bears will now have to pivot if they want to address this position before the NFL draft.

The Bears were among the teams intrigued by the 25-year-old Smith, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2024 and didn't allow a sack. The Bears are likely to replace their center and both starting guards this offseason.

What's next for the Bears after the Chiefs tagged Trey Smith, and does it affect the Bears' draft plan? It might not vary that much.

The #Chiefs are planning to franchise tag star guard Trey Smith, sources say. An intriguing move, as KC keeps one of its best players for $23.4M on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal. pic.twitter.com/IOnctKg7WE

The Chicago Bears ' plans to upgrade their offensive line in free agency has taken a turn with news that the Kansas City Chiefs will use their franchise tag on pending free agent offensive lineman Trey Smith,