Eric Berry, Chiefs starting to come together
![Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0fdaa7667593d917693a09b93c46de374f00262571023999b8e88b2985477efd.jpg)
The Kansas City Chiefs and Eric Berry are starting to move in the right direction.
After a very stressful 36 ours or so, it appears the Chiefs and Berry are starting to at least move toward a contract that keeps the First-Team All-Pro and cancer survivor in town for the forseeable future.
According to Ian Rapoport, the sides have not agreed on a deal but are still working hard and from the wording of the tweet, seem to be making progress.
The #KCChiefs & Eric Berry are still working, trying to hash out a long-term extension. Not there yet, but will be working to the deadline.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2016
Let’s be real; the Chiefs need Berry. Kansas City is up against the cap and if Berry plays on the franchise tag of $10.8 million, general manager John Dorsey will have to do some roster shuffling to even field a team this year.
Meanwhile, Berry has every reason in the world to sign a long-term deal in Kansas City. First off, any injury to him in 2016 has the potential to be devastating. He would have no future protection playing on the tag. Second, Berry has talked openly and repeatedly about staying in Kansas City for his career. Signing a long-term deal now would practically ensure that.
The two sides have until 3 p.m. CST to make a deal.