The loss of Smith would put head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a difficult situation. He's established himself as one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the league and a player like Mahomes, who often scrambles behind the line of scrimmage, will need that security.

As the Chiefs finish the third straight season of playing as late into the calendar as possible, they once again have limited time to take care of early-offseason business.

Mahomes has been dealing with an ankle injury, but it did not affect his ability to lead the Chiefs to a win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game last month. Mahomes is still listed with an ankle injury after Kansas City’s Super Bowl bye week, but he was a full participant in the Chiefs’ practice session on Wednesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed into a critical offseason after falling to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Kansas City lost 40-22 in the Super Bowl after defeating the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

Mahomes' mother, Randi, shared on Instagram that her father, Randy Martin, has died. The announcement comes after Martin entered hospice care just days before the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.