Spending in free agency is not something GM Ryan Poles wants to do. His goal has always been to build through the NFL draft and only use the veteran market to shore up depth and add the occasional hole plug. Unfortunately, after another ugly season, the Chicago Bears may have no choice. With around $80 million potentially to spend, they need to take a swing or two to help this roster take a step forward. If they were to start anywhere, most experts agree it would be with Trey Smith.
The former 6th round pick has developed into one of the best guards in the NFL over the past few years with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a pivotal part of their offensive turnaround that helped Patrick Mahomes win his second and third championships. The man would be the ideal solution to the Bears’ interior blocking woes. Unfortunately, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune had a difficult update.
That’s a good question and I am glad you are asking about what is realistic because there’s already pie-in-the-sky thinking. Trey Smith, a standout guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, is coming out of contract and no one I have chatted with believes he will reach the open market. The expectation is the Chiefs pay Smith — he could become the highest-paid interior lineman in the NFL — or secure him with the franchise tag. So, let’s tap the brakes on the idea any sort of rebuild for the Bears could be centered around Smith, who the Chiefs drafted in the sixth round in 2021 after he slid down boards because of medical concerns.
Outside of him, the list of proven commodities on the free agent market is thin. There are plenty of notable names like Ronnie Stanley, Zach Martin, Tyron Smith, Kevin Zeitler, Brandon Scherff, and Laken Tomlinson. The problem is all of those guys are well into their 30s. If the Chicago Bears want somebody proven who can be a long-term option, they aren’t likely to find him this year. Not unless somebody gets cut or the team is willing to trade for him. Neither option seems likely. This means the Bears will have to dig deep into their draft evaluations this year to find the right guys. There won’t be a big name ready to come to the rescue this time. Maybe the Chiefs pull a stunner and let Smith walk, but all signs point to that not happening.
