Chris Jones delivers funny message to Trey Smith when it comes to contract advice
Guard Trey Smith joined the Chiefs for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, his first appearance with the team during offseason workouts.
This puts him in a different place than Chris Jones two years ago when it comes to the contract negotiations of star players.
“It’s good Trey didn’t take my approach,” Jones said. “He’s doing the right thing. I think the future plan for the Chiefs is to have Trey around. He’s a superior guard in this league. He’ll be an All-Pro this year.
“We’re glad to have him back out. He brings a lot of energy to the offensive line.”
Smith received the team’s franchise tag at the start of the offseason and is under contract in 2025 with a $23.4 million salary.
But he’s also looking for a long-term contract with the Chiefs, and general manager Brett Veach said in April the team was working on a deal.
“Hopefully we get that done,” Veach said. “There’s no lack of interest or will or desire on our end.
Similar sentiments were expressed when the Chiefs and Jones talked contract extension in 2023. But Jones didn’t attend any offseason team activities and his holdout extended through training camp that year.
Jones missed the first game of the season, a home loss to the Detroit Lions, before signing a one-year deal. In March 2024, Jones agreed to a five-year contract worth $158.75 million.
The new deal made Jones the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle.
Jones said Smith didn’t seek out his advice about negotiating, and it sounded like Jones might not have been in a sharing mood even if he had.
“Don’t take no advice form me,” Jones said. “I did things a little different.
“Trey’s in a good place. What’s the franchise tag, 25 million? That’s big bucks. He’s in a good place. Stay healthy, be ready to compete.”
Smith and the Chiefs look to get a deal done before training camp begins in July, or Smith will play the year out on a one-year contract. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season and has started all 13 playoff games the Chiefs have played during his four-year career, including three Super Bowls.
This story was originally published June 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.