The Chicago Bears are expected to be one of many teams interested in free agent offensive guard Trey Smith, who has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs since being drafted in 2021 in the sixth round.
Smith, raising himself from a late round pick to one of the top available free agents on the open market this offseason, has ties to current Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who spent all of his career in Kansas City before being hired by Chicago ahead of the 2022 season. He was also part of the group that drafted Smith.
Needing to upgrade their offensive line in a major way, especially on the interior, the Bears have been labeled a team that will focus on the trenches in both the draft and free agency. While Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Combine that the team is "pretty optimistic" they can re-sign Smith, they're certainly going to have competition around the league, including from the Bears.
Poles was asked about Smith as a potential free-agent target, but he refused to comment on a player not currently on the roster.
"I’m not going to get into players who aren’t on our roster right now," Poles said. "But I’m proud to be a part of that draft process.”
Poles' answer should have Bears fans indirectly optimistic, since not much was said. But the GM did say he was proud to be part of that draft class.
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Chicago landing Smith in free agency would be a big addition and a fantastic way to start free agency, which is just a few weeks away. Last season, Smith earned a 78.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, with his highest mark coming in run blocking at 80.8, all of which is much needed on the offensive line.
