Three pending free agents for Chiefs who have top tier earning potential in 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs could see several of their players earn top-tier contracts when free agency gets underway in 2025.

23 players are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the onset of the 2025 NFL free agency period. That includes all of the players from Brett Veach's tremendous 2021 NFL draft class. They'll ultimately have some tough decisions to make when it comes to the players at the top of the pack because they have market-setting potential.

Here's a quick look at three players who have the top earning potential heading into the contract year in 2024:

1. RG Trey Smith

The guard market absolutely exploded this past offseason with the top AAV ( Eagles OL Landon Dickerson ) exceeding the $20 million mark. Just based off market value, so long as there is no major drop off in his play, Smith should be due for a massive payday next season. The reason that I'm giving Smith the top spot is the fact that he could also be the top free agent at the guard position next season. He's certainly going to have youth and playoff experience going for him, but he's also proven to be a dominant blocker in space and in the run game. If he can limit his pressures allowed (34 last season) and penalties (8 last season) in 2024, he could maximize his earning potential and perhaps become the highest-paid player at the right guard position.

2. WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown

Brown took a modest one-year deal with $6.5M fully guaranteed in Kansas City this offseason. He took a calculated risk that he could maximize his earning potential after a season with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions. He's also banking on a creative offensive coach in Andy Reid using his skill set better than any other point in his NFL career. Given the uncertainty surrounding a potential suspension for Rashee Rice, plus Travis Kelce getting a year older, Brown could quickly emerge as a top receiving for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. If the bubble doesn't burst for the wide receiver market, Brown is poised to cash in.

3. C Creed Humphrey

The center position is actually the weakest in terms of AAV along the offensive line, with the top salary for 2024 earning $14.25 million on average per year. Humphrey has a chance to completely reset the center market in 2025. A to Z Sports' Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio explored what that could for Humphrey:

"If he aims for 6.75% of the 2024 salary cap, Humphrey would push the top of the center market up to $17.25 million. That would be a $3 million increase at the top of the market and Kansas City will likely push back on jumping the market that much."

The Chiefs haven't exactly made the center position a priority during Andy Reid's tenure with the team. They let both Rodney Hudson and Mitch Morse walk in free agency, and if the asking price is too high, Humphrey could be next.

Honorable mentions: QB Carson Wentz, S Justin Reid, K Harrison Butker, and LB Nick Bolton

Related: Another NFL insider suggests Chiefs WR Rashee Rice might not be suspended until 2025