How Expensive Is Potential Future Vikings Guard Trey Smith?
Over the years, the Vikings have often attempted to find new starting linemen in free agency, but the acquisitions are generally limited to below-average starters like Dakota Dozier, Tom Compton, Josh Kline, or, recently, Dalton Risner.
How Expensive Is Potential Future Vikings Guard Trey Smith?
The last time the Vikings actually made some investments to their front five was in 2017, when Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers were necessary upgrades after a disastrous campaign for Minnesota’s offensive line.
This year, however, the Vikings have the cap space to hire some high-profile players, and at the top of fans’ wishlist is Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith. While Patrick Mahomes’ right guard prepares for the third straight Super Bowl, other teams are already waiting for him to hit free agency in March because he is viewed as one of the best players of this year’s free agency class.
There will likely be a bidding war if the Chiefs let him walk. Last year, the Vikings lost such a war when they reportedly were interested in securing the services of Brian Flores’ former draft pick, Christian Wilkins, to solidify the defensive line.
Wilkins ultimately signed a four-year contract worth $110 million. But how expensive will Smith be?
Four offensive guards have reached at least $20 million with their annual salaries: Landon Dickerson, Quenton Nelson, Chris Lindstrom, and Robert Hunt. Smith will presumably become the fifth at the age of 25 with four years of excellent guard play on his resume.
Pro Football Focus predicted a four-year deal for $20.5 million per season, placing him second in their annual free-agent rankings. “Smith’s 78.8 PFF overall grade in the regular season ranked 11th among all guards, and he will still be only 25 years old when free agency opens. That’s a good combination for a big payday, given that multiple players at the position signed deals at or exceeding $20 million per year in 2024.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano has nominated a slightly higher per-year salary ‒ $21 million ‒ and a five-year contract.
At the end of the day, the Vikings will have to open their checkbook if they want one of the premier guards to wear the purple uniform. There are some cheaper but still solid options like Bears guard Teven Jenkins, Colts’ Will Fries, or Detroit’s Kevin Zeitler. All of them, however, come with some concerns, such as a small sample size of above-average play, an extensive injury history, or age.
The Vikings still have their two Week 1 starters at guard under contract for another season with Blake Brandel and Ed Ingram. The latter was benched for Risner during the season and could be a cap casualty. Brandel’s play was up and down, but he might be better suited for a role as a versatile and reliable reserve. Risner, meanwhile, will be an unrestricted free agent.
After the disappointing playoff loss, head coach Kevin O’Connell suggested the offensive line would be a point of emphasis: “There’s no question we’ve got to find a way to be able to give a quarterback, especially with players like Justin (Jefferson), Jordan (Addison), T.J. (Hockenson), we’ve got to find a way to solidify just the interior of the pocket. There can be a thousand excuses made, whether it’s losing [Christian Darrisaw], or even midway through the game losing [Brian O’Neill] tonight, but for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
Trey Smith could elevate the offensive line, but the price tag might be too high and could scare away the Vikings, and there’s still a chance the potential three-peating Chiefs want to keep their offensive line intact.
Smith, 25, will continue to be a hot topic in Minnesota.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt