Jason Kelce Breaks Down Trey Smith’s Costly Blocking Mistake
Jason Kelce has publicly criticized a costly technique error by 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 beat Smith during Kansas City’s preseason finale. Kelce said the mistake was not caused by a lack of strength or talent, but by poor technique.
Jason Kelce Explains Where Trey Smith Went Wrong
The play began when 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 stopped Smith and disrupted the run.
“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.”
Kelce was equally impressed by Ivey’s execution, highlighting the linebacker’s positioning and timing.
“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 the single failed block had not changed his overall view of Smith.
“Trey is still a badass, but what F***ing Outstanding rep from Ivey.”
Chiefs Rely on Trey Smith After Record Contract
The criticism carries added weight because Smith is one of the Chiefs’ most important offensive linemen.
Kansas City signed Smith to a four-year, $94 million extension that included $70 million guaranteed, making him the NFL’s highest-paid interior lineman when the agreement was reached.
Smith also entered the preseason after missing much of Kansas City’s 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 analysis was therefore not a dismissal of Smith’s ability. Instead, it was a detailed warning from one of the NFL’s most accomplished former offensive linemen: even an elite player can lose a rep when his fundamentals are not right.
