Jason Kelce’s criticism of Travis Kelce’s Chiefs teammate could cool their relationship
A blunt assessment of Chiefs star Trey Smith's technique.
Jason Kelce has publicly picked apart a costly mistake from Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith , despite previously being one of the offensive lineman's biggest admirers.
The former Philadelphia Eagles center reacted after Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey got the better of Smith during Kansas City's preseason finale, with Kelce arguing that the problem wasn't strength or talent but technique.
“Trey Smith is a bad man, but it don’t matter how much of a beast you are if you go in with bad technique,” Kelce wrote on X.
“Trey should be striking this kickout block with his left shoulder, and left foot forward. Same foot same shoulder is how power is generated.”
Jason Kelce explains where Trey Smith went wrong
The play came as rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier handed the ball to running back Emmett Johnson. Travis Kelce and Smith moved across the formation to execute kickout blocks, but Ivey managed to stop Smith and disrupt the run.
Jason Kelce was just as enthusiastic about Ivey's execution as he was critical of Smith's .
“Conversely we see Jared Ivey striking Trey with perfect technique, right foot forward right shoulder. Ivey is also way lower and does a great job squeezing down the line and catching Trey before he is ready for contact.”
Kelce then made clear that one bad rep hadn't changed his wider opinion of Smith .
“Trey is still a badass, but what F***ing Outstanding rep from Ivey.”
Chiefs counting on Smith after huge contract
The criticism carries extra weight because Smith is one of Kansas City's most important offensive linemen.
The Chiefs handed him a four-year, $94 million extension with $70 million guaranteed, making him the NFL's highest-paid interior lineman at the time of the agreement.
Smith also entered the preseason after missing much of padded training camp work because of a hip injury.
“Trey (Smith) loves to play, but it was important that he let that thing heal up like he did,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Smith visited a specialist. “And I think it’ll pay off for him down the road.”
Kelce's criticism therefore wasn't a dismissal of Smith's ability. It was a detailed warning from one of the NFL's most accomplished former offensive linemen that even an elite player can lose a rep when his fundamentals aren't right.
