Question 3: Given the deals already in place for players like Harrison Smith and Tyrann Mathieu, how much is Eric Berry worth? Is there a ceiling to what you pay him or do you file it under “whatever it takes”?
Britt: Unless you are a top five quarterback, there is no such thing as “whatever it takes.”
Nick: I think it is irresponsible to give Berry a blank check and say, “Pick a number.” A good team not only looks at the next year in terms of cap space but the foreseeable future. Giving him a huge guarantee looks good, feels good for the player, but there is always the “what if?” factor.
Lyle: Agreed. I don’t think any position other than an elite quarterback is worth an open ceiling of “whatever it takes”. I wouldn’t be upset if his contract was in the ballpark of Harrison Smith’s .
Britt: I’d be willing to max it out at a 5-year, $45 million deal that’s front loaded so that I could walk away in three years max.
Nick: Maybe instead of a huge guarantee you bring that number down and extend the length of the contract to maybe six years rather than five.
Matt: We’ve been chatting about Berry a long time now and not a single mention of lymphoma or the ACL injury. Does Berry’s level of recent play and incredible story remove those considerations? I’m asking because I’m thinking of those two things front and center when I think of making the highest paid safety even richer.
Britt: No, they do not remove them at all! His health concerns are a big factor in why I’m not giving him top safety money. I’m also throwing in a provision on health in terms of his cancer. If his cancer comes back, I’m having an out clause. Clearly the Chiefs would stick behind him if the cancer came back, but I’m not going to let it sit on my cap.
Lyle: I agree that you need an out from the contract after about three years in case those health concerns come back into play.
Nick: Berry is a great story with the comebacks and beating cancer. Everyone wants to feel good and his story is a feel good story. I think it also looks good for Kansas City. This is the team that stuck by him through injuries through cancer, and if a “big” deal is not made for him, the organization might be looked down upon.
Matt: I’m just shocked that the Chiefs have to do anything to build good will when they did just that: stuck beside a player through an incredibly tough time.
Britt: Everything Nick just said is why I believe that if the deal isn’t done, this should look poorly on Berry alone!
Lyle: Even if there were no health issues in his past, you still need an out from the contract simply based on the wear the NFL takes on your body, especially if you go as hard as Berry does all the time.
Britt: The Chiefs turned Eric Berry into a hero and borderline god in Kansas City. They paid him when they didn’t have to pay him. They put Berry Strong on everything. They followed his story so everyone could see his fight. They introduced him on opening day last allowing the fans to share their appreciation. They literally did everything for him, and now he wants to hold them hostage and say they owe him?
Matt: Well, let’s be clear that the Chiefs are likely enjoying the financial dividends of selling those jerseys and enjoying the monetary end of such good will.
Nick: Oh, I fully agree. They probably made a nice profit off of those Berry Strong shirts.
Britt: True Matt, the Chiefs did make money on jerseys and shirts. A lot of that did get donated to charity if I remember as well though correct?
Matt: That’s something I’m really unsure about.
Nick: Here is the opposite side of that, Britt. The average career of an NFL does not last long, so a smart player tries to make as much money as they can in a short window. So I never get upset when a good player wants a big contract. If they deserve a nice deal, give them a nice deal, because that man in the GM position could be there for 20 years, but Berry will not have a 20-year career.
Britt: Agreed. No problem with player wanting to get his. They are short lived and should maximize what they can get if that’s their goal, but then say that is your goal. Don’t hide behind “wanting to stay in KC” and then expecting someone to “owe you something.”