Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry won’t be at mandatory minicamp if all goes as expected.
Eric Berry was given the franchise tag this offseason, in essence giving him a one-year deal for $10.8 million. However, Berry has not reported to voluntary OTAs and is not expected to show up for mandatory minicamp this Tuesday as he looks for a long-term deal.
While general manager John Dorsey and Berry’s agent continue to work toward a deal, Berry will protect himself form injury and many believe incur a fine for missing mandatory sessions. Not so. Berry has not signed his non-exclusive franchise tag, which means he is technically a free agent, as Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride points out.
Frankly, the Chiefs should be just fine with him missing this time. Why risk an injury or some other fluke issue when each side fully expects a deal to get done. Berry is a veteran and a four-time Pro Bowler, he knows the system and knows how to get himself ready for an NFL season. We all saw what he did coming back from cancer last year.
The next time we will see Berry is in training camp come late July with a brand new contract and the same great play.