The Kansas City Chiefs plan to franchise-tag right guard Trey Smith this offseason, but doing so could prevent the franchise from solving a significant need.

By trading Thuney, 32, to the Bears, the Chiefs cleared $16 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap.

In this tier alone, there is Bolton, who has been an excellent blitzer and tackler for the Chiefs over the past four years, albeit with a few more missed tackles in 2024 than in previous seasons. David is the quintessential “Hall of Very Good” linebacker.