Examining potential players that the Kansas City Chiefs could use the franchise tag on during the 2025 offseason
Every offseason each NFL team has the opportunity to place their franchise tag on one player. There are two types of franchise tags – exclusive and non-exclusive. When a team applies the exclusive franchise tag, it prohibits the player from hitting the open market. Their price tag will be based on the five largest contracts in […]
Every offseason each NFL team has the opportunity to place their franchise tag on one player.
There are two types of franchise tags – exclusive and non-exclusive. When a team applies the exclusive franchise tag, it prohibits the player from hitting the open market. Their price tag will be based on the five largest contracts in the league at their position.
The non-exclusive franchise tag allows players to receive offer from other teams, but the team applying the tag can either match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks in exchange for the player. The price tag is the same as the exclusive tag, and it is much more commonly used than the exclusive.
Then there's the rarely used transition tag, which is similar to the the non-exclusive tag. The key difference is the player's price tag is based on the 10 largest contracts at their position instead of just the five, and the team applying the tag does not receive any compensation if they lose the player to another team.
The Chiefs have a trio of players who they would realistically place one of these tags on. Let's examine each scenario below.
Offensive guard Trey Smith
Smith is going to garner a ton of interest on the open market and will likely get top dollar at his position. Our friends at Over the Cap have the offensive lineman franchise tender price at $25,156,000. That includes guards, tackles and centers.
Currently the highest-paid guard is the Philadelphia Eagles' Landon Dickerson, who makes $21 per year. I would definitely expect Smith to eclipse that number. He has been one of the best guards in the NFL since being drafted in 2021. At just 25-years-old, he is entering his prime and will command a massive long-term contract.
If the Chiefs were to apply the franchise tag to Smith, it may mostly be for the sake of trading him. With the demand he is going to receive, it's possible that a team will be willing to give up some picks for Smith. However, it would be a risky decision as it's also possible that they aren't able to deal him.
Kansas City has already invested a lot in other O-linemen such as Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, and Jawaan Taylor, and have several other needs throughout its roster. Things could always change, but it seems as though the Chiefs will let Smith test the free agent waters.
Linebacker Nick Bolton
Bolton will also be a hot commodity on the open market. Like Smith, Bolton is also entering his prime. He has started 53 games throughout his four-year career and has recorded over 100 tackles three times. The franchise tender for linebackers is set at about $27,050,000.
That includes middle and outside linebackers. Outside LBs are paid much more than middle because they are generally considered more valuable due to their pass rushing prowess. Bolton is a middle LB, making his best comparison being Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, who makes $20 million per year.
That is substantially lower than the franchise tender of over $27 million, meaning K.C. won't likely entertain that. It seems that the Chiefs will either lock Bolton up long-term or let him walk. All has been relatively quiet from both parties, but K.C.'s coaching staff consistently praises the value that Bolton brings to their defense.
Safety Justin Reid
Reid is a bit older than Smith and Bolton, but should still have plenty of good years left at 28-years-old. He has been an unsung hero of the Chiefs' defense during his three-year tenure with the team, recording 265 total tackles, three interceptions, 23 passes defensed, four sacks, and one forced fumble over that span.
Unfortunately for Reid, he has multiple things working against him in regards to staying in K.C. First, the Chiefs have two good, young safeties in Bryan Cook and Jaden Hicks who are playing on rookie contracts. Secondly, cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis have contract extensions looming, and K.C. isn't likely to let either of them go.
The franchise tender for safeties is set at around $19,626,000. Like with Bolton, the Chiefs will likely either let Reid walk or re-sign him to a multi-year deal. The free agent safety market is pretty loaded this year, so if a bidding war begins, K.C. could get outbid pretty quickly for Reid.
