Bears Top Candidate to Add No. 2 Free Agent, Chiefs Champion OG
Bears Have Struggled to Protect QB Caleb Williams All Season
Chicago's offensive identity has long been as a ground-and-pound team that relies on its defense. The defense is the superior unit again in 2024, and Chicago just paid running back D'Andre Swift a total of $24 million over three years to join the offense last offseason.
That said, pass protection is at a higher premium in the Windy City than it's been in years after the team drafted quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall back in April. Williams has had his peaks and valleys, but has shown the potential to be a high-level NFL signal caller in the future — assuming the offensive line can protect him.
The unit has done a poor job of that so far this year, allowing opposing defenses to sack the first-year quarterback 29 times through eight games, which equates to an average of more than 3.5 sacks per contest. Williams' chemistry with top wide receiver DJ Moore has suffered as a result, which renders offensive line upgrades arguably the team's top priority come next offseason.
Trey Smith Will Be Expensive Wherever He Ends up Next Season
Smith, a sixth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2021, has been a massive value for Kansas City over the past four years while playing on a rookie contract worth just $3.6 million total.
As such, it's unlikely that the Chiefs will want to let a tentpole of their offensive line get away in free agency. However, the two-time defending champions will continue to face difficult financial decisions as they try to maintain an affordable roster that hasn't just competed at the top of the sport for the last several years, but often dominated it.
Spotrac projects Smith's market value at nearly $19 million annually over a new four-year deal ($75.6 million total), which is a premium to pay for an interior offensive lineman. That said, Knox noted the increased value of the offensive guard position across the league, particularly in the context of NFL defenses putting more stock in creating QB pressure from the interior of defensive fronts.
Given the new realities in the league, Smith is a strong candidate for the franchise tag in Kansas City if the Chiefs aren't able to pay him top money to return on a long-term deal in 2025. However, if he actually gets to free agency, the Bears have the need, motivation and salary cap space to make a run at one of the best offensive guards in the league who is still just 25 years old.
