Ever since Super Bowl 55, the Kansas City Chiefs made it their mission to always give Patrick Mahomes some protection up front. In that game, he had virtually no time whatsoever to do anything, yet, somehow he was still making incredible plays. But, it wasn't enough.
You had players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the opposite sideline talking all game about how what Mahomes was doing was magical, and he was losing by 20 points. You don't see that happen often with any player. After that year, the Chiefs drafted both Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith, and then eventually added Joe Thuney, too. Their interior offensive line not only became one of the best units in the league, but a core part of what the Chiefs have done during the dynasty.
Now, the time has come to try and work out a new deal for Humphrey and Smith, as after this year, they will have played out their rookie contract and can enter free agency if the Chiefs choose to let that happen. It's clear both of them want to continue in Kansas City -- why wouldn't they?
And, it's clear the Chiefs want them both to stay. But, the conversation has never been about what the Chiefs want, but what they can do. With the Chris Jones deal now done, the Chiefs are a little tight on money. So, getting both of them to resign is going to be difficult, but the Chiefs are making that a priority the next month, according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor.
It appears the Chiefs’ top priority is to see if they can continue to provide elite protection for Mahomes by retaining the services of Humphrey and Smith. - Nate Taylor, The Athletic
Taylor expects Humphrey to pass Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow as the highest-paid center in NFL history, and that would make sense. He's the best center in the league, and he is still very, very young. As for Smith, he likely won't get top OG money, but he will be up there, as he's one of the better ones in the league.
Even so, the guard position in the NFL usually gets paid more than the center position. Smith could make just under what Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom makes, which is $20.5 million annually, making him the highest-paid offensive guard.
With the money being as tight as it is, the Chiefs will have to figure something out if they want the two guys they trust the most protecting the greatest quarterback of this era. As Taylor said, maybe we see both, or one deal get done in the next month. Creed may be the first priority, and if he is here is an accurate representation of what he could make.
Related: Former Vols OL Trey Smith gives his take on 'The Real UT' during Chiefs training camp
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