Former Tennessee Vols OL Trey Smith is now in a murky situation with the Kansas City Chiefs

Former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Trey Smith has been one of the most underpaid players in the NFL over the last few years.

That's because Smith, who has developed into a key player for the Kansas City Chiefs, was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft despite being a first round talent.

Smith fell to the Chiefs in the sixth round due to health concerns (Smith dealt with blood clots during his time at Tennessee, but he's been completely healthy in the NFL).

The former Vol is entering the final season of his rookie contract and he's expected to receive a big day. After not allowing a sack or a quarterback hit during the playoffs last season, there's been speculation that Smith could earn a contract that makes him one of the highest paid guards in the NFL (which would be around $20 million annually).

The Athletic's Jeff Howe and Nate Taylor noted this week that Kansas City wants to extend Smith.

But after giving center Creed Humphrey a deal on Thursday that makes him the highest paid center in NFL history, it's unclear if the Chiefs will be able to pay Smith like a top NFL guard.

It sounds like the Chiefs would like to extend Smith before the start of the 2024 season. Smith, however, might be better off waiting until after the season to address his contract. The former Vol could maximize his value by hitting the open market where a bidding war could quickly ensue.

Of course, the Chiefs could also choose to place the franchise tag on Smith after the 2024 season if they can't work out an extension.

Smith would love to stay in Kansas City. And the Chiefs would love to keep Smith longterm. But the money has to make sense, too. This contract will likely be the biggest contract that Smith ever receives in the NFL. He deserves the chance to get paid like a top offensive lineman. And he shouldn't be forced to take a significantly cheaper deal just to stay with the Chiefs.

Ultimately, I think the Chiefs will find a way to keep Smith -- he's clearly an important part of their team (both on an off the field). But it's far from a certainty that Smith will be in a Kansas City uniform beyond this season.

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