As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for another NFL season, offensive lineman Trey Smith addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding star tight end Travis Kelce’s future with the team. On February 4, during an interview at the SiriusXM Media Row in San Francisco, Smith expressed his unwavering support for Kelce amid rumors suggesting the player might retire.
Although Smith emphasized his dedication to respecting Kelce’s privacy, he refrained from revealing any insights about the tight end’s plans.
“You know, at the end of the day, I want to keep his privacy, his privacy,”
Smith said.
“Like I said, whatever decision he makes, you know, that’s my brother. That’s a guy I’ve gone to war with countless times and a dude that I love wholeheartedly.”
Adjusting to Elevated Public Attention and Team Dynamics
Smith, who joined the Chiefs in 2021, also reflected on the heightened public attention the team has experienced since Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift became widely known, as well as following back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024. He shared that his previous experience playing for the University of Tennessee helped him adapt quickly to the spotlight.
“For me, it was just making sure I live up to it,”
Smith explained.
“Making sure that I don’t bring the standard down. And honestly, you know, with the spotlight, I’m a lineman. I’m in the shadows. You know what I mean? So it isn’t too hard for me, you know? Yeah. It’s cool to just watch those guys keep excelling.”
Reflecting on a Challenging Season and Team Resilience
The Chiefs, who did not qualify for the playoffs in the latest NFL season leading to the 2026 Super Bowl, faced a difficult year that Smith described as a necessary learning experience. Despite the setbacks, he emphasized the importance of sticking together through adversity and using those challenges as motivation moving forward.
“It was really more so a welcome NFL moment, you know,”
Smith noted.
“Everything’s not gonna be sunshine and roses. You’re gonna have hardship; you’re gonna have bad times. And I think for us, it was just as a team sticking together through the tough times, experiencing that, understanding we don’t wanna experience that again.”
During the off-season, Smith and his teammates are united by a shared determination to make a strong comeback while continuing to strengthen the close bonds they’ve developed on and off the field.
Smith mentioned that the team maintains communication through a group chat where they share memes and lighthearted content. When asked who sends the best memes, he named offensive lineman Creed Humphrey.
Pro Bowl Participation and Looking Ahead
Although Smith will not play in the upcoming 2026 Super Bowl on February 8, he recently competed in the 2026 Pro Bowl on February 3. While joking that his team was “robbed,” he expressed gratitude for achieving a personal milestone in his career by participating in this event.
“It was something that I’ve wanted to do in my career for a while. Haven’t had the opportunity, but it was nice to check that off my list,”
Smith shared. He also valued the chance to engage in conversations with respected players from across the league, gaining “a newfound respect” for many of his peers.
