by Jordan Long
The Kansas City Chiefs and safety Eric Berry are unlikely to reach a long-term deal by tomorrow’s deadline. Berry received a franchise tag worth $10.8 million. He will play under that for this year. When the season is over, Barry is set to become a free agent to sign with any team.
Berry is one of the best safeties in the league. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the first-round of the 2010 NFL Draft. In his first year he played in all 16 games and had 92 tackles, the most he would have in his career to this point. Berry also added 4 interceptions. The Chiefs were hoping the next year would be even better for him, but he tore his ACL and missed the whole season.
The 2014 season was one to forget for Berry, appearing in only 6 games. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. On July 29th, 2015, Berry was cleared to resume football activities after he finished his treatment in June. The Chiefs were hoping he could still play at a Pro Bowl level and proved that with 61 tackles and 2 interceptions. The Chiefs rewarded him with the franchise tag and hopes of a long-term deal.
I believe Eric Berry makes this Kansas City Chiefs’ defense better. As a safety, he can tackle, play in coverage, intercept the ball, and knock the ball away from the opponent’s wide receivers. He has everything that NFL teams look for in a safety. The franchise tag is respectable, but the fact of the matter is Berry could be a free agent in a year. Teams will be looking at him this year with the possibility of signing him next offseason.
Kansas City knows how valuable he is to their defense. The Chiefs have until 2 PM Mountain Time tomorrow to agree to a new deal. If they don’t, they could risk losing the leader on the defense next year.
How do you feel about the Chiefs not making a long term deal with Eric Berry?
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