The 2025 season was a rare reality check for the Kansas City Chiefs — one that ended without a playoff appearance for the first time in a decade.

During Super Bowl week, while the rest of the league gathered without Kansas City in the picture, offensive lineman Trey Smith opened up about the adversity the team faced and how it shaped them moving forward.

Speaking with People Magazine’s Janine Rubenstein at Super Bowl LX Radio Row, Smith described the season as a sobering — but necessary — NFL moment.

“It was really more so a welcome NFL moment,” Smith said. “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 about sticking together through the tough times — experiencing that and understanding we don’t want to experience that again.”

Despite the team’s struggles, Smith’s individual performance never wavered. Battling through injuries, he earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025 and continued to anchor a developing offensive line.

Alongside All-Pro center Creed Humphrey, Smith has taken on a leadership role, helping guide a young unit filled with potential — one that still needs time, continuity, and shared experience to fully come together.

Last summer, Smith committed to Kansas City long-term, signing a $94 million contract extension with $70 million guaranteed. His focus now goes beyond individual accolades.

For Smith, the disappointment of 2025 isn’t a setback — it’s fuel.