Chiefs headlines for Wednesday, July 9
Kansas City Chiefs
G Trey Smith
The Chiefs welcomed back Smith for June’s mandatory minicamp, an encouraging sign amid his push for a new contract. The Pro Bowler — already a part of two championship teams in Kansas City — skipped all of OTAs after being franchise-tagged in March. “There’s no secret we’d like to get Trey locked up,” general manager Brett Veach said earlier this year. All signs point to this getting done. For one, Smith deserves it. He allowed just 1.5 sacks last season. And secondly, the way Philadelphia wrecked Kansas City’s offensive line in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs can’t risk any more blocking issues in 2025. One teammate, defensive end Chris Jones, said he was thrilled Smith wasn’t taking a hardline stance and skipping the entire offseason — like Jones did two years ago: “It’s good Trey didn’t take my approach,” Jones said. “I think the future plans of the Chiefs is to have Trey around.” Smith will make $23.4 million this year on the tag if a deal doesn’t happen. — Zak Keefer
NFL Quarter Century: Best 25 draft picks of the last 25 years, with an obvious No. 1 | Yahoo Sports
7. Patrick Mahomes, 2017 1st round, 10th overall (Chiefs)
The legend has it that the Saints badly wanted Mahomes with the 11th pick. When they snoozed, the Chiefs traded up to the 10th pick and stole him. Considering Mahomes went well after second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky and one pick after speedy receiver John Ross, we’ll count trading up and drafting a future all-time great at No. 10 as one of the best picks of this century.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce teases potential career plans after retirement | Chiefs Wire
The Kansas City Chiefs are entering an important season with their usual high expectations and the potential of another Super Bowl run for their veterans. After considering retirement following Super Bowl LIX, Travis Kelce is all in on the upcoming season.
The ten-time Pro Bowler recently appeared on the “Bussin’ With The Boys ”podcast to hint at life after football.
“I wanna see what calling a game feels like, getting in the booth,” said Kelce, “I’ve always impersonated guys that call the games and stuff like that growing up. I don’t know; I thought it would always be fun just to jump in there. Player names is where I would get f****** ruined.”
Tight ends (3)
Starter
Tony Gonzalez**
Reserves
Gonzalez helped break the tie between Kelce and Gronkowski, whose careers are nearly identical in terms of success,...