Chiefs Give Dolphins Permission To Negotiate With Branden Albert

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs have given the Miami Dolphins permission to negotiate with LT Branden Albert, signaling a trade between the two teams is on the horizon.

The report comes from John Clayton of ESPN:

"The Kansas City Chiefs have given the Miami Dolphins permission to talk to left tackle Branden Albert to help facilitate a trade for a second-round choice, a source said.Albert, who lives in Miami, is expected to visit the Dolphins’ facility in the next couple of days for a physical. His agent, Ron Slaven, has received permission by the Chiefs to talk contract with the Dolphins, but no other team.Even though he signed his franchise tender, worth $9.82 million for 2013, Albert has skipped the Chiefs’ voluntary offseason program. Albert has said he wants a long-term deal, and then took to Twitter to express his disapproval with the notion he might move to the right side."

This likely means that the Dolphins and Chiefs have already come to an agreement on compensation for Albert. All that needs to happen now is Albert agreeing to a long-term deal with his new team.

Albert is signed by the Chiefs to a one-year franchise tender. That means Albert is due over $9 million this season. For the Dolphins to pull the trigger on the trade, they need Albert to agree to a long-term contract with Miami first.

This means a trade is almost certain to go down, unless of course the Dolphins won’t pay Albert the amount he is currently looking for. If Albert refuses to negotiate with the Dolphins or turns down their offer, he can force the Chiefs to pay him $9 million for this season or to search for another trade partner.

For Albert, it would be best to get a long-term deal. If Miami is willing to pay him, then you can consider Albert gone.

As for the Chiefs, they are reportedly at least looking for a high second-round draft pick in next week’s draft. The Dolphins have two second-round picks to deal.