It’s been reported that Eric Berry will not be getting a new contract from the Chiefs by this Friday’s deadline. From Adam Teicher at ESPN,
“Barring unexpected developments before Friday’s deadline, the Kansas City Chiefs and franchise player Eric Berry are not expected to reach a long-term deal, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.”
Although Adam Schefter’s Twitter feed, has no such story, Teicher and Schefter are joined at the hip via ESPN so we can assume this is true.
For the Chiefs, and their fans, this means they have drawn a line in the sand, of sorts. Many have been calling for general manager John Dorsey to steer clear of making the kind of long term, and huge investment that Harrison Smith received last month from the Minnesota Vikings.
From Rotoworld,
“Vikings signed FS Harrison Smith to a five-year, $51.25 million extension through 2021. The deal contains $15.278 million in full guarantees, including a $10 million signing bonus. The $10.25 million annual average makes Smith the NFL’s highest-paid safety, although Eric Berry is owed $10.8 million under his franchise tag.”
On the public perception front, John Dorsey has had his hands tied behind his back and had to continue to give out no indications whatsoever that he was not going to sign Eric Berry because there are so many fans who adore Berry. Now, he’s backed into a corner, and it appears he’s made up his mind to allow Eric Berry to pursue other avenues and other teams to get the kind of contract he believes he deserves.
What do you say Chiefs fans? Will there be a dry eye in the house if Berry departs?