More shocking than a deal not getting done was the Chiefs reportedly asking Berry, who beat cancer past year, to pay for a disability policy that made the team its beneficiary, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Berry will make $10.8 million in 2016.
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“Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a long-term agreement with Eric’s representatives before today’s deadline”, Dorsey said.
Whatever that number is, it’s less than Berry wanted.
As you may know, Berry won his battle with Hodkin’s lymphoma past year, which nearly certainly has everything to do with Kansas City’s thinking as it relates to a long-term deal with the safety. He was selected first-team All-Pro and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year by The Associated Press. Smith recently signed a five-year, $51.25 million pact that includes almost $29 million guaranteed.
The Chiefs could create $10.8 million in cap room by rescinding the tender on Berry, but that would make one of their best, and most influential, players an unrestricted free agent. Although the franchise tender is good money (and guaranteed) Berry stands to collect far more guaranteed money with a new deal.
Berry didn’t participate in the Chiefs’ offseason activities and didn’t participate in the team’s minicamp, but still hopes that he came remain with the franchise. The team already has a significant amount of money committed to 2017 – upwards of $166 million, which already surpasses the 2016 cap number of $155 million.
Berry appeared in all 16 regular-season games with 15 starts.
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The honors still haven’t stopped rolling in, either, as Berry accepted the ESPY award Wednesday for Best Comeback Player.
