Improving the interior offensive line is at the top of many Minnesota Vikings fans’ wishlists, and no free-agent guard is as dominant as Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowler Trey Smith. Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling previously reported that the Vikings are expected to be aggressive in addressing the offensive line and mentioned Smith as a key target.
However, the Vikings’ plan may be in jeopardy based on how the Chiefs operate in the aftermath of their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles’ defense made Patrick Mahomes vulnerable, sacking him six times and pressuring him on over half of his dropbacks in their 40-22 victory. According to PFF, it was only the second-highest pressure rate Mahomes had ever faced in his career, with the first coming during his Super Bowl 55 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Following their 31-9 loss to the Buccaneers, the Chiefs heavily invested in their offensive line by signing Joe Thuney to a record-breaking contract and drafting Creed Humphrey and Smith. These moves played a key role in Kansas City’s back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2022 and 2023. Had they won a third straight Super Bowl, they may have been willing to let Smith walk. But with the spotlight now on the Chiefs’ offensive line struggles, it’s unlikely they’ll let Smith reach free agency.
Trey Smith
After their offensive line struggled in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are likely to do everything they can to maintain Smith at right guard,” wrote A to Z Sports’ Tyler Forness on February 10. “This could throw a wrench into the Vikings’ free-agent plans, as they were set on pursuing Smith.” If Smith does enter the market, he’ll demand a huge contract, with PFF projecting a four-year, $82 million deal.
While Smith is undoubtedly the top guard available, the Vikings would be wise not to focus all their spending on one position. Instead, they should look to lower-tier options that could still offer improvements.
Guards like Will Fries and Teven Jenkins, both 26, could be key building blocks, with contracts expected to surpass $12 million per year. Veteran Kevin Zeitler, at 34, had a career-best season, earning a Pro Bowl nod and is projected for a one-year deal worth $6 million.
There are also riskier options like James Daniels, coming off an Achilles injury, or Mekhi Becton, who shifted to guard last season, that could be worth taking on shorter contracts before fully committing to the interior. By diversifying their approach, the Vikings could improve the overall offensive line performance more effectively than by focusing only on Smith.
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