Chiefs GM gives update on former Tennessee Vols OL Trey Smith's contract extension talks with Kansas City

The Athletic's Jeff Howe and Nate Taylor reported earlier this month that the Kansas City Chiefs want to extend starting offensive lineman Trey Smith's contract.

Smith, a sixth round selection by the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft, is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

The former Tennessee Vols standout has proven to be an incredible value for the Chiefs over the last three years (60 starts in three seasons, including the playoffs, is pretty incredible).

Smith, however, is expected to receive a contract that could make him one of the highest paid guards in the league. It could be difficult for Kansas City to give the former Vol that kind of contract after extending center Creed Humphrey earlier this offseason.

On Thursday, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach gave up an update on the team's contract talks with Smith.

"Yeah, we've been, like I said, we've been in conversations with Trey, and we still have some time here," explained Veach . "We'll get a chance to talk to both Trey's people and (linebacker) Nick (Bolton)'s people. And it is a little tricky. When you get in the off-season, it's hard to kind of work on four deals all at the same time, not knowing where they're going to end and not knowing where the money is going to be allocated.

"So you do, unfortunately, have to do it kind of systematically, and it does take time, and does drag out. Fortunately, we' were able to knock (kicker) Harrison (Butker) out rather quickly. And obviously, Creed was tricky -- that took some time. He's a tremendous player, but excited to get him done. And now we still have some time here before the season starts, and we'll continue to see if we can make some progress with the last few guys here that are, you know, younger guys that are going to be up next year."

It seems like an extension for Smith is essentially still up in the air, though it sounds like the Chiefs are hopeful they can get a deal done before the start of the regular season (which is just seven days away for Kansas City).

This is likely Smith's best chance to cash in on a big contract. And after falling to the sixth round in the draft (he fell because of health concerns over blood clots he dealt with at Tennessee), there's no doubt that the former Vol deserves a lucrative deal.

To Smith's credit, he isn't holding out or posting cryptic messages on social media while he awaits a potential extension. Instead, he's keeping his head down and going to work. That doesn't mean that Smith is going to give the Chiefs a big discount, but he won't be causing any drama, either.

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