Eric Berry, the unquestioned leader of the Kansas City Chiefs defense, was finally rewarded for his efforts on Tuesday morning. Berry signed a six year contract extension with the team worth a reported $78 Million. The contract makes him the league’s highest paid safety in terms of guaranteed money. The deal includes $40 million in guarantees and a huge $20 million signing bonus. This shows just how much faith the Kansas City Chiefs have in their star safety. Berry was named the AP comeback player of the year in 2015 after being diagnosed with lymphoma the previous year.
Kansas City shores up defense with Berry extension
The Kansas City Chiefs have made some aggressive moves by signing Eric Berry to a massive contract extension. The Chiefs have been on the verge of contention for a Super Bowl berth the past few seasons and their defense has been one of the main reasons. By keeping Berry in the fold for the next few years, the Chiefs will be able to continue their defensive resurgence and possibly compete for a title. Another key piece to that equation is whether or not they can also figure out a way to keep star defensive tackle Dontari Poe around. Poe is expected to draw interest from all over the NFL because of what he brings to the table on the defensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs may give Poe the franchise tag so they can keep the core of their defensive unit intact for at least another year. That will at least give the franchise time to try and work out a long time deal with Poe before he decides to sign with another team in free agency.
Chiefs make major roster changes
The Chiefs made some other moves today that will leave them without their former franchise player.
Jaamal Charles, the most prolific running back in Kansas City Chief’s history, was released today. Charles played for Kansas City for the past nine years. Despite battling a slew of injuries during his career there, he still managed to tally over 7,000 yards rushing and was the focal point of the offense. Head coach Andy Reid had this to say about his former running back, “I appreciate the way he came to work every day, he gave us everything he had day-in and day-out.
I’ve said it before, I think he’s a future Hall of Famer." Charles most definitely will be missed by Chiefs fans but hopefully he will still be able to provide help to a contending team before his career comes to an end.
