Chiefs Will Listen To Offers For Branden Albert, According To Report

The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on LT Branden Albert but that doesn’t mean they won’t send him to another NFL team in a trade.

For the right price, of course.

According to SI.com’s Peter King, in his latest Monday Morning QB column, the Chiefs will listen to offers for Albert.

"3. I think, speaking of free agency, the tackle market sure has some good leftovers: Super Bowl left tackle Bryant McKinnie, Sebastian Vollmer, Eric Winston, Andre Smith (likely to stay in Cincinnati), and, if some team wants to trade for him, Kansas City’s Branden Albert. The Chiefs will listen to offers for him."

This shouldn’t come as a total shock. The Chiefs will likely listen to offers for any player on their roster.

Still, the way King puts it, makes it sound almost as if the Chiefs are shopping Albert. The team said publicly that it wants to reach a long term deal with Albert but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t part with him.

The problem is that there is a lot of depth on the LT market right now. With a few top veterans still available and a strong draft class at the position, I would be surprised if the Chiefs were able to move Albert in a trade any time soon.

The most likely trade scenario would probably come after the free agent market dries up and after the draft. If after all that, there is still a team desperate for tackle help, KC might be able to deal Albert. It would also be wise for the Chiefs to wait until after the draft, just so they can ensure they have the position well stocked before considering moving their most valuable asset on the offensive line.

What do you think, Addicts? What is more likely for Branden Albert? Trade, long-term deal or playing 2013 under the franchise tag?