Eric Berry surprised Kansas City Chiefs are dragging their feet

Eric Berry and the Kansas City Chiefs are stalled in their contract negotiations, and the pro-bowl safety is surprised they aren’t further along.

The Kansas City Chiefs figure to challenge for the AFC West title in 2016, as they have one of the deeper rosters in the division. However, their Pro Bowl safety wants to stay with the team long-term, and does not understand why the organization has not locked him up.

Last week, Berry was given the franchise tag, and he will make over $10 million next year. That money is guaranteed, but Berry, who has played his entire career with the Chiefs, wants to be with team for the long haul.

“I thought it would progress a little bit more, but it’s still been pretty much the same since the last time we talked,” Berry said, via Herbie Teope of ChiefsDigest.com. “A lot can change in a week; a lot can change from whenever the deadline is.”

The deadline Berry is referring to is July 15, which is the last day that team’s can sign players designated under the franchise tag to multiyear deals.

It would make sense for the Chiefs to sign him to a long-term deal, not only because of his talent, but because they need the cap space. With his franchise tag money, the Chiefs only have $226,818 in cap space, so inking him to a multiyear deal would free up a ton of money.The two sides will obviously make it work, as Berry is a fan favorite around Arrowhead Stadium. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award last season, after batting back from Hodgkin lymphoma. He was also an All-Pro, and continues to be one of the best defensive backs in the game.

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