As the offseason began about six months ago, the Kansas City Chiefs had significant internal matters to address, specifically aiming to secure long-term contract extensions for several key young players.
Now, with the season underway and Week 1 behind us, two of those players—linebacker Nick Bolton and right guard Trey Smith—are still awaiting their anticipated contracts.
Initially, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach identified Bolton and Smith, along with kicker Harrison Butker and center Creed Humphrey, as top priorities for long-term deals. The goal was to extend their stays in Kansas City beyond the current contract year.
Currently, Smith and Bolton must continue without the security of long-term contracts. Negotiations for such deals can be complex, and Chiefs fans have witnessed various outcomes in recent years. For example, wide receiver Tyreek Hill went from being a potential extension candidate to a traded asset due to market shifts, and Chris Jones experienced a protracted negotiation process.
Contract agreements began to emerge in mid-summer, starting with Butker’s four-year extension. Humphrey followed with a record-setting deal in late August. However, just before the Chiefs’ game against the Baltimore Ravens, news broke of a new contract extension for tight end Noah Gray—a three-year, $19.5 million deal with $10 million guaranteed. While securing Gray is a smart move for the Chiefs, it’s surprising given that Bolton and Smith are still awaiting their extensions.
Although it’s promising that the Chiefs have locked in their kicker, center, and tight end, the futures of Bolton and Smith remain uncertain. The Chiefs can resume negotiations at any time, and no official deadlines have passed nor have any players expressed dissatisfaction publicly. Bolton and Smith are crucial to the team’s Super Bowl aspirations, and it’s possible that new deals could be reached as the season progresses.
Historically, many contracts are finalized during quieter periods of the NFL calendar, and negotiations often resume after the season to avoid distractions. If this pattern continues, the Chiefs might wait for market conditions to dictate the terms rather than negotiating in the current climate. Given recent trends in the guard market, reaching an agreement could be costly. For now, Bolton and Smith must remain patient and see how the Chiefs approach their demands as the season unfolds.
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