Trey Smith Drops Iconic Mike Tomlin Line to Defend Chiefs Dynasty

Trey Smith is confident that the Chiefs Super Bowl window is still open and they will learn from the mistakes they made in 2025.

Trey Smith Drops Iconic Mike Tomlin Line to Defend Chiefs Dynasty

Mike Tomlin and Trey Smith inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Trey Smith quoted Mike Tomlin to emphasize the Chiefs' focus on their game despite criticism.
  • The Chiefs had a disappointing 2025 season, finishing with a 6-8 record before Mahomes' injury.
  • Positive updates on Mahomes' recovery suggest he may return before the start of the next season.

Mike Tomlin may no longer be coaching in the NFL, but his words still echo throughout the league, as demonstrated by Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith during his recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show. Smith used a famous Tomlin statement to describe the sentiment surrounding the Chiefs’ dynasty.

The Chiefs appeared in five Super Bowls, winning three, over a six-year span before their disappointing 2025 campaign. The Chiefs were 6-8 even before quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and underwent surgery, ending his season. With three more losses, it was officially the Chiefs’ worst season since Mahomes became the starter.

Fans and football experts viewed the moment as the end of the Chiefs’ dynasty. On the latest episode of her FanDuel show, Kay Adams asked Smith for his reaction, and the Pro Bowler responded by quoting former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

I think back to that Mike Tomlin quote… ‘We don’t care.’ We don’t care. At the end of the day, we’re over here playing ball. We’re just doing our job.

Trey Smith told Adams

As a guard, Smith had an up-and-down season in KC. As he was dealing with a back injury, Smith took 655 offensive snaps in 12 games, giving up only 3 penalties and 1 sack.

Pro Football Focus gave Smith a 75.1 grade for pass blocking (10th-best in the league). However, he struggled to stop the run, earning only 63 on the PFF scale (42nd/81 guards in the league). Smith’s overall grade rounded up to 68.5 (27th).

Trey Smith discussed what went wrong for the Chiefs in 2025

Even though Mahomes looked better compared to the 2024 campaign when the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl, the offense struggled to finish teams off. They finished as the 11th-worst in total offense, tossing just 38 touchdowns all year. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who nearly retired before the season began, accumulated the most receiving yards (851 from 76 receptions) on the team.

Trey Smith Drops Iconic Mike Tomlin Line to Defend Chiefs Dynasty
(L) Patrick Mahomes and (R) Andy Reid (Image via IMAGO)

KC also had the 8th-worst run game, averaging 106 yards per game. Kareem Hunt led the Chiefs’ running backs with 136 carries for 611 yards and 8 touchdowns. Isiah Pacheco rushed 118 times for 462 yards and scored 1 TD in 13 games.

We’ve just gotta be better. A lot of times last season, we weren’t playing our best football. We weren’t playing complementary football. At the end of the day, we have to just go back to the drawing board and be great this offseason. Everyone has to prepare. Individually, I’ve looked myself in the mirror. What can I do to be better for my team?

Trey Smith revealed the Chiefs’ goals next season

Chiefs receive positive update on Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes tore his ACL during the Chiefs’ crucial matchup against divisional rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers. KC lost the game and, with it, missed the chance to win the AFC West and secure a playoff spot. Within a week, Mahomes underwent ACL and LCL reconstruction surgery and began the rehabilitation process.

ACL injuries can take from 9 to 12 months to heal. Keeping that in mind, the Chiefs feared whether the three-time Super Bowl champion would be able to start in Week One of the new season. FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer provided a positive update on Mahomes’ rehab while speaking on the Dan Patrick Show.

[Patrick Mahomes’s ] pain threshold is different. His work ethic is different. So at first they were like, ‘Oh, you know, start of the season.’ I would probably hedge on him being [back] sooner than that. By far. Because he just attacks things.

Glazer told host Dan Patrick

Mahomes finished 2025 with 315 completions for 3587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He further added 422 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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