Future murky in for Eric Berry, Eric Fisher and Dontari Poe

As of the time of this article, Eric Fisher, Eric Berry and Dontari Poe are not technically under contract past the 2016 season. Berry is currently holding the one year franchise tag, Fisher is awaiting to be informed if the Chiefs will pick up his 2017 contract option ($11.9 million) and Poe is a unrestricted free agent. All three players will require large contracts to keep them in town. We will quickly explore what it may take to get a deal done, and why there are issues.

The big issue, and what is likely to quickly become the elephant in the room, is the Chiefs cap situation, which is not good, especially the next two seasons. As of the day of this article, per overthecap.com, the Chiefs have $24 million in cap space for 2017 and $56 million in cap space for 2018. As I’ve stated before, the Chiefs don’t have much wiggle room for the next few years.

First, Eric Fisher. He certainly has failed to live up to being a first overall lineman in a draft. However, he’s been serviceable to average at a really difficult spot to lock down, left tackle. By May 2nd, the Chiefs must decide if they will pick up the option on Fisher’s contract for the 2017 season, set at $11.9 million. It is not guaranteed.

The Chiefs can also try to get an extension done, but that will be problematic.  This off season, fellow 2013 offensive tackle and fourth-overall selection Lane Johnson and the Eagles agreed to a new contract, a five year, $56.26 million deal with $35.5 million in guarantees. That certainly is the price point for a new Fisher deal.

Combined with near $12 million option on the horizon and the market for left tackles, getting a deal done with Fisher could be complicated and difficult.