Eric Berry: Currently sitting on the Franchise Tag, we have been promised by John Dorsey, Andy Reid, and even Clark Hunt that a deal will get done. That said, it isn’t done yet and until it is, it remains on the “to do” list. This is easily the top item on Dorsey’s itinerary as it involves a fan favorite All-Pro player looking at a top contract.
There has been some chatter in Chiefs Kingdom about letting Berry go. That would be a HUGE mistake. First off, his talent speaks for itself. He’s one of the best in the business, and not just at the safety position.
Berry is legitimately one of the absolute best football players in the NFL. On top of that though is the intangible value that Berry brings to this roster. His leadership was widely touted even before his comeback from cancer. Now it’s unquestionable. Letting him walk will cause doubt on the roster as to how much the “family” concept really means in KC.
The deadline (July 15) for this deal is rapidly approaching. We likely won’t hear much of anything on this front until a week before that deadline…so patience will be a virtue for Chiefs fans, especially with the dead space of the NFL offseason coming up.
Eric Fisher: After being KC’s favorite scapegoat for much of his first two seasons, Fisher finally flashed some of the talent that many were looking for from the first-overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft.
And while he hasn’t played up to the expectations of that draft pick, he has progressed almost exactly how all the scouting reports on him said he would.
The Chiefs have exercised their fifth-year Option on him, which is the right move to make. Hopefully they can get him signed to an extension before next season…and hopefully it will be at a reasonable price tag.
The Panthers signed Michael Oher to an extension at just over $7 million per year. That should be what the Chiefs are trying to sign Fisher to. That contract would put him in the Top 15 among left tackles, which is certainly generous considering what he’s shown so far.
Fisher can certainly earn a higher paying contract with a strong 2016. But with his already significant injury history, the Chiefs may be able to entice him to take the deal and guaranteed money now. And that should be the angle the John Dorsey is emphasizing.
It’s also important to note that the same injury history could be the reason why the Chiefs DO NOT extend Fisher. It has been a common theme for the talented linemen that were allowed to walk in the past.
Next: More Trenchwork