The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ offensive line room appears slightly completely different as of late. Not due to sweeping personnel modifications, however as a result of gamers who had been as soon as the younger guys at the moment are among the many group’s most skilled voices.
That features proper guard Trey Smith.
Coming into his sixth NFL season, Smith spoke candidly concerning the classes he has realized from veterans, the accountability of serving to youthful gamers develop, and the affect offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s return may have on a group trying to bounce again from a disappointing 6-11 season.
All through the dialog, Smith sounded much less like a participant making an attempt to determine himself and extra like somebody serving to set up the usual for these round him.
Requested about his method to caring for his physique, Smith instantly pointed to recommendation he obtained from a former teammate and present Chicago Bears left guard.
“I think back to Joe Thuney,” Smith stated throughout a press convention final Thursday. “He told me at a young age, ‘Hey man, I realized at an early age if I didn’t stretch every day, if I didn’t do these things, I wouldn’t be playing offensive line very long.’”
“Just trying to learn and add more things in my toolbox so I have more longevity as I keep playing,” Smith stated.
It’s the kind of knowledge typically handed from veteran to younger participant — and now Smith finds himself able to do the identical.
When requested concerning the progress of younger offensive linemen corresponding to left sort out Josh Simmons and left guard Kingsley Suamataia, Smith described the tough transition each rookie faces.
“Year one’s a blur,” Smith stated. “You’re trying to hold on. You had a whole college season straight into draft prep, and now you’re into a whole new organization, a whole new city, a whole new group of people.”
In keeping with Smith, the most important soar comes when the sport lastly slows down.
“The beauty of it is that first year you start to really build up your football acumen,” Smith stated. “The game starts to slow down a little bit.”
That’s why he’s inspired by what he’s seeing from the Chiefs’ youthful linemen.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 28: Trey Smith #65 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Creed Humphrey #52 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Kingsley Suamataia #76 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Josh Simmons #71 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs put together to line up for a second quarter play in the course of the NFL 2025 sport between Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, United States. (Photograph by David Eulitt/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
“I love Josh Simmons, man. I love what he’s doing,” Smith stated. “Kingsley Suamataia, he’s doing a phenomenal job as well. The game is going to keep slowing down for them as they get more reps and more actual game experience.”
Smith’s feedback mirrored somebody who understands the developmental course of as a result of he’s lived it himself.
That very same veteran perspective confirmed up when the dialog shifted to Bieniemy’s return.
Requested what message he would have for youthful gamers who haven’t skilled the previous NFL working again’s teaching type earlier than, Smith delivered one of the memorable quotes of the day.
“Get it together, or he’ll get you together,” Smith stated with a smile.
The laughter rapidly gave technique to reward.
“The thing about EB, man, he’s going to bring the energy, the passion and the intensity that we need,” Smith stated.
Extra importantly, Smith believes gamers perceive why Bieniemy coaches the way in which he does.
“He’s going to coach you hard, but you understand it’s coming out of a place of love because he sees potential and passion in what you do,” Smith stated. “And he just wants you to be great.”
For a group making an attempt to maneuver ahead after one of the disappointing seasons of head coach Andy Reid’s tenure, accountability issues.
Requested how typically final season serves as motivation, Smith didn’t hesitate.
“Every single day,” Smith stated. “We’ve had a great run of success, and we have an objective and goal every single year we step onto the field, and for us, we fell short of those goals.”
Now the main focus is on restoring the tradition that helped make Kansas Metropolis one of many NFL’s premier organizations.
“So for us it’s how do we get back to that winning culture and where we want to be at the end of the year,” Smith stated, “hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.”
Smith’s feedback might not have been an official declaration of management, however they revealed one thing necessary nonetheless. The younger offensive lineman who as soon as leaned on veterans like Joe Thuney for steerage has develop into one of many veterans serving to lead the following era ahead.
As Kansas Metropolis appears to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season, Smith’s function extends past defending the quarterback. He’s serving to cross down the requirements, preparation habits, and accountability which have outlined among the most profitable offensive strains of the Andy Reid period
