Where will Eric Berry sign in 2016 NFL free agency?
The Kansas City Chiefs made the playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons and won a postseason game for the first time since 1993. Much of the credit is due to Eric Berry, who came back from a bout with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to make both the Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro squad. With that in mind, Berry is becoming a free agent. Let’s look at his situation.
Vitals
Age: 27
Notable Stat: 41 career pass deflections
All-Pro teams: 2
Pro Bowls: 4
Contract comparisons
Berry has been one of the best safeties in the league since being drafted fifth-overall in 2010 out of the University of Tennessee. He was originally on a five-year, $60 million deal as a rookie and now will earn his second huge contract. While this one likely won’t match those numbers, it will come close. The best comps are Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks and Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots.
McCourty got five years and $47.5 million with $28.5M guaranteed. Thomas inked a four-year, $40 million with $25.725M in guarantees. Berry is going to nestle right into that area.
Estimate: 5 years/$50 million/$26 million guaranteed
Will he stay?
Yes. The Chiefs are not going to let the leader of their team and the heart and soul of the defense move on. Kansas City has approximately $32 million in cap space and will make Berry its top priority. Should a long-term deal not be reached by the franchise tag deadline of March 1, the Chiefs will slap the tag on him. For safeties, the tag is $10.6 million for 2016.
If he leaves…
Should Berry hit the open market, he will get a ton of offers. The Jacksonville Jaguars would be leading the parade with almost $80 million in cap space. The Jaguars desperately need secondary help and Berry would be a cornerstone. The Atlanta Falcons would also be a logical fit. Scott Pioli was the general manager who drafted Berry, and he’s now in the Atlanta front office. Berry is also a Georgia native.