The Kansas City Chiefs and safety Eric Berry are running out of time to make a long-term deal happen.
Kansas City needs Eric Berry. Berry need the Chiefs. Currently, we are looking at a staredown. According to Rand Getlin, the Chiefs and Berry’s camp are not making much progress toward a new deal in recent days. The sides have until July 15 to make a long-term deal a reality, otherwise Berry would have to play on the franchise tag.
So, should we be worried? Well, any time you have one of the best players in football sitting in limbo, it is never a good thing. You always want to see that guy get taken care of, especially when the Chiefs have so many contract uncertainties next year.
On he flip side, Berry knows the only team that can give him a long-term deal – barring the bizarre – is Kansas City. The Chiefs have that leverage, along with the knowledge they need him for both now and years down the road. Plus, can you imagine the storm from fans if general manager John Dorsey didn’t get it done with Berry? Yikes.
My guess? Just like last year with Justin Houston, this deal will get done on deadline day. Kansas City and Berry will probably move a bit toward the middle and perhaps settle on something around five years and $50-55 million with half the deal being guaranteed.
The good news is we haven’t seen it get ugly yet, a la Von Miller and the Denver Broncos. Stay tuned.