Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs Relationship Could Sour

The Kansas City Chiefs have released right tackle Eric Winston in a move that has been received with a lot of negative reaction from the team’s fans and the fans are not alone with their displeasure.

Left tackle Branden Albert, who was hit with the franchise tag just before Monday’s deadline, was very unhappy after hearing the news and immediately went to Twitter to let everyone know that he did not like the writing on the wall of what this could mean for his position on the line next season. It took almost no time for Albert to react to the news of Winston’s release with one word.

With Winston released, the immediate belief was that Albert would be moved to right tackle in a move that would allow the Chiefs to select Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel with the No. 1 overall pick. Albert isn’t having any of that.

A fan asked Albert if he would move to right tackle and he responded with a firm, “Nope.”

Albert was then asked by another fan if he was implying that he was strictly a left tackle. Albert’s response was heard loud and clear.

Albert continued interacting with the fans and even retweeted a message from a fan that said he had received no respect. It’s evident that Albert is not happy with the current situation he is facing and he likely wishes the Chiefs would not have hit him with the tag.

Some may criticize Albert for being so outspoken, but he has offered no apologies.

It will now be interesting to see how the two sides resolve their issue. There were previous rumblings that the Chiefs could look to trade Albert, but that would leave them with no starting caliber tackles on the roster. Albert could also refuse to sign the franchise tender.

The final move for Albert will be to suck it up and sign his tender. Once that is done, he will have no choice but to do whatever the team asks him to do or he could be suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

This is going to get very interesting over the next few days and weeks. We have a feeling that this is just the beginning.

Andy Reid and John Dorsey have quickly gone from being praised for their aggressive moves before the free agency period to being criticized for releasing one of the top five right tackles in the league and leaving their best remaining offensive lineman unhappy with the organization.