The Chicago Bears are going to upgrade the offensive line in multiple ways this offseason, the questions that remain are: by how much, and in what manner?
Among the worst kept secrets around the NFL is that Chicago is a top contender to ink Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith, who is likely to hit free agency considering franchise tagging him would cost the AFC champions around $25 million in 2025.
That is well above market value for any interior lineman, even Smith who could ultimately sign the most lucrative contract at his position in league history once the dust settles. Beyond that, such an investment would make it difficult for the Chiefs to address other issues in free agency given that the entirety of the $25 million would count toward next season's salary cap, and Kansas City has just over $3 million in cap space currently.
That is the long way of saying that the Bears, who should have upwards of $100 million in cap space once the league-wide cap spike of approximately $25 million kicks in, will be in position to make a godfather offer to Smith and land arguably the top free agent in this year's class.
However, the news isn't all good for Chicago, as The Athletic reported on Monday, Feb. 24, that the Chiefs are going to engage in some fancy financial footwork in an attempt to hang onto Smith long-term.
"[Smith is] entering his prime and free agency at the same time, rare in today's NFL. PFF's 14th-best guard in 2024, he can expect a contract above the $20 million average given to Panthers G Robert Hunt last offseason," Jacob Robinson wrote. "Ideal fits include the Patriots, Bears and Chargers, though Dianna [Russini] has noted the Chiefs are looking to keep him."
Kansas City has the pull of the familiar for Smith, who has played his entire career there, started in three straight Super Bowls for the franchise and captured two rings. As such, if the Chiefs are able to make a competitive offer, they probably hold the advantage over the Bears -- and others -- in the pursuit of Smith.
Should Smith return to Kansas City, Chicago will have to focus more of its efforts to revamp the offensive line in the early part of the upcoming NFL draft, in which the Bears hold pick Nos. 10, 39 and 41.
There is plenty of interior talent on the draft board as well as in free agency, but Smith is the league's unquestioned prize in that regard this offseason.
