Breaking Down Donovan Smith's Contract With the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs signed offensive tackle Donovan Smith to a contract last week, adding depth to the outside of their offensive line and giving quarterback Patrick Mahomes another blindside protector to work with. At the time his signing was reported, Smith's deal was allegedly a one-year deal worth a base of $4 million and a ceiling of $9M with earned incentives. On Wednesday morning, though, some additional context and details were released.

According to Spotrac, Smith's base yearly cash value for 2023 is just $3M. That includes a base, fully-guaranteed $1.98M salary to start, as well as another $1.02M in per-game active roster earnings that can be earned via 17 individual $60,000 bonuses. Thirteen of those per-game bonuses are considered likely to be earned (LTBE) because he played and started in 13 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. The current cap hit for Smith's contract is $2.76M.

Former Bucs tackle Donovan Smith's one-year deal with the Chiefs was reported as being up to $9 million, but without incentives, it's just $3 million, per @Spotrac. Base salary $1.98 million (guaranteed) and $1.02 million in per-game active roster bonuses.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 10, 2023

Smith, who turns 30 in June, is known for his ability to be available consistently. Outside of the 2022 campaign, he'd never missed more than one game in any other season. That leaves the door open for him to hit all of his LTBE per-game roster bonuses and then some if he can stay healthy and effective for Kansas City — even as a backup — this year. The rest of Smith's incentives aren't known at this time, but a look back at JuJu Smith-Schuster's one-year deal with the Chiefs from an offseason ago might leave a hint or two. Not likely to be earned (NLTBE) incentives could come into play.

In addition to playing banged up and also missing some time last season, Smith struggled on the field. Posting the worst Pro Football Focus composite offense and pass-blocking grades of his career, the veteran left tackle also allowed 31 pressures in a career-low 908 pass-blocking reps and was penalized 12 times. Regardless of whether he actually ends up being the Chiefs' starting right tackle in 2023, Smith will look to cash in on his incentives and secure a respectable payday in Kansas City while chasing another Super Bowl ring.

Read More: Chiefs 2023 Schedule Tracker