The Kansas City Chiefs have placed a non-exclusive franchise tender on star offensive lineman Trey Smith, a day after Travis Kelce declared he would return to the team.

Smith’s tender means he is open to negotiate a contract with other teams. However the Chiefs have the right to match any offer he receives from another franchise.

Should the Chiefs decline to match an offer to Smith, they would receiver two first-round picks as compensation.

if Smith is retained by Kansas City without a new contract, he will earn more than $25million this year.

The Chiefs will enter long-term negotiations with Smith to lock him up beyond this season and avoid having gained no compensation should he want to walk away in 2026.

The Chiefs become the first team this offseason to designate their franchise tag by confirming the move of Smith’s tender.

Kelce’s return to the Chiefs, which was the indication from the team’s front office leading up to his official announcement, means more than $17million will go to him in 2025 and is less money for the team to spend. It’s not exactly a bad thing to retain a future Hall of Fame tight end.

Smith has spent his entire NFL career with the Chiefs and is coming off the best season of his pro career, earning a Pro Bowl selection.

One area the Chiefs have a major need this offseason is along their offensive line, with Smith being a key piece in the trenches.

The Chiefs’ embarrassing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles put a spotlight on Kansas City’s offensive-line issues.

Losing Smith, which the tender proves, would be a tremendous loss for the franchise hoping to make their eighth straight AFC Championship Game next season.