Chiefs’ Branden Albert Will Report Monday

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs and LT Branden Albert have yet to work out a long-term contract but according to head coach Andy Reid, Albert will join the team on Monday.

“He’ll be in here Monday,” Reid said of Albert. “Branden will play the left side for right now and Eric will play the right side. I think that gives you two pretty good bookends right there. We also know we have Donald Stephenson, who is also a good football player.

“He’s very eager to get going. He’s very excited.’’

That has to be good news for Chiefs fans, many of whom (at least on this website) have said they just want the drama to be over with.

The Chiefs aggressively tried to trade Albert ahead of the 2013 NFL Draft. It appeared they were close to dealing him to the Miami Dolphins but the two sides were never able to agree on compensation. Since the draft, it appears the trade market has gone dry. As such, the Chiefs have reportedly began trying to sign Albert to a long-term contract.

Inking Albert long-term would help give the Chiefs some much needed salary cap relief, depending on the contract. Albert reportedly wants top dollar but the Chiefs may be able to structure his contract in such a way that balances out Albert’s big pay day with other high-paid players already on the roster.

The Chiefs and Albert have until July 15th to work out a deal. If they can’t, Albert will be forced to play the 2013 season under the franchise tag, which will pay him a little over $9 million for the year.