Photo Credit: Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith has signed his $23.4 million franchise tag, according to Ian Rapoport and others. By signing the contract, Smith is tied to the Chiefs for a minimum of next season. Rapoport also reports that the team wishes to ink Smith to a long term deal. The Chiefs could also designate Smith as their franchise player for a second year in 2026 at 120 percent of his 2025 salary. 

The Detroit Lions have an opportunity here. While franchised players are thought to require two first round picks to pry away from a team, the Lions could negotiate a lesser deal if it becomes clear Smith wants out of Kansas City for any reason. 

But do the Lions need Smith? 

The Lions’ best guard last year was Kevin Zeitler. He is a free agent and just turned 35 years old. Zeitler earned an 86.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, his best season since 2014. Resigning Zeitler is a sound move. 

Graham Glasgow was the Lions’ other starting guard. He was awful, and has two years remaining on his contract. At 32 years old, he will make $5.5 million in 2025 and $6.5 million in 2026. Glasgow’s Pro Football Focus grade was 57.9 last season, below the benchmark for average, which is 60.0. 

Christian Mahogany is 24 years old and appeared in seven games as a rookie last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he played well, earning a grade of 81.6. Mahogany is under contract three more years and will earn $960,000 next season. 

The Lions need a guard. Trey Smith is a substantial upgrade over Glasgow. Last year his Pro Football Focus grade was 78.8. According to Next Gen Stats, Smith allowed just 1.5 sacks and committed only two penalties last season. Best of all, he’s a two-time Super Bowl champion. The Lions could use that experience to get them to the next level. 

With $52.6 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, the Lions can afford to make a splash by signing Smith to a lucrative long-term contract if they are able to acquire him from the Chiefs. 

Is he worth being paid as the highest salaried guard in the league? For the Lions, whose Super Bowl window is open, I say go for it. Try to peel Smith away from the Chiefs for this year’s first round pick (No. 28), next year’s third round pick, and Graham Glasgow. 

Detroit has the talent and coaching to dethrone Philadelphia next season and reach the Super Bowl.

Seize this opportunity.

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