Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden dropped a great story about Tennessee Vols legend Trey Smith earlier this month.

Smith, who just wrapped up his fifth season with the Kansas City Chiefs, joined Gruden Goes Long ahead of Super Bowl LX.

During the conversation, Gruden brought up Smith falling to the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft due to concerns over blood clots that the former Tennessee offensive lineman dealt with in college.

Jon Gruden knew he messed up when the Chiefs drafted Trey Smith

Gruden, who was the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders at the time, revealed that Smith wasn’t on his draft board because of the health concerns.

But when Andy Reid and the Chiefs drafted Smith in the sixth round, Gruden knew he had messed up.

“You were off a lot of teams’ boards medically,” said Gruden to Smith. “You were off our board. And I see Andy Reid take you in the sixth round, I’ll never forget it, I went out in my car and I slammed my hand in the car door. I was really pissed, because I knew what kind of player you were.”

Gruden had the correct reaction — Smith quickly proved he’s one of the best players in the NFL. And Smith hasn’t missed any games due to blood clots. In fact, the only games Smith has missed due to injury came this past season when he missed five games while dealing with an ankle injury.

While Gruden was right to be upset about missing out on Smith, it was undoubtedly the best landing spot for the former Vol. Smith is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, and he received a contract extension last offseason worth $94 million over four years.

Not bad for a guy that wasn’t on a bunch of teams’ draft boards.

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