Why the Chiefs should avoid the franchise tag with Eric Berry this time

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) reacts on the sideline during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium. Pittsburgh won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) reacts on the sideline during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium. Pittsburgh won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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After failing to agree to terms during the negotiating periods in 2016, the Chiefs are again in a precarious position with the seventh-year man out of the University of Tennessee. The Chiefs have until March 1 to again designate Berry as the team’s franchise player. Last year, using the tag to keep Berry in Kansas City required a $10.8 million retainer. A second tag, in as many seasons, would net Berry 120% of his 2016 salary (or $12.9 million).

Let’s put those numbers into perspective.

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) kneels on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Were you to add that $10.8 million to Berry’s 2017 cap number, you’d arrive at nearly $24 million in guarantees. Let’s use Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith as a point-of-reference. His 2016 contract extension included $28.5 million in guaranteed money. Immediately, the problem with slapping the tag on Berry again becomes clear. Why should the Chiefs dole out 83% of Smith’s guarantee for 40% of the service time? The math is clear — Kansas City should either lock up Berry’s long-term rights or make peace with him defecting for another team.

On the chance that’s not convincing enough, there are other reasons to oppose the move. Is occupying $13 million on one player the best use of team resources with one other major contract situation looming? Remember, Dontari Poe is also in the market for a new deal. An extension would give the Chiefs the option of a low cap number for the first year of Berry’s contract. It also frees up the franchise tag to use on Dontari Poe in 2017. The odds that both players get extensions this season are unlikely.