Nov. 15, 2015; Denver; Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry (29) runs back an interception against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs kicked off voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday without two-time All-Pro safety Eric Berry.
Berry’s absence doesn’t come as a surprise when considering he has yet to sign a non-exclusive franchise tender.
The Chiefs have until July 15 to hammer out a long-term contract or extension with Berry. After July 15, Berry can only sign a one-year contract for the 2016 season, which under the franchise designation for the safety position carries a $10.8 million price tag.
The Chiefs and Berry’s camp have been in discussion and coach Andy Reid didn’t appear overly concerned with the process.
“(General manager John) Dorse(y) does all that with his agent,” Reid said.
While it would be good to have Berry for OTAs or the upcoming mandatory minicamp, Berry proved in 2015 he doesn’t need those offseason workouts to have a productive season.
Berry missed OTAs and minicamp last year while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma before being cleared for training camp.
He went on to appear in all 16 regular-season games with 15 starts and totaled 61 tackles (55 solo), two interceptions and 10 passes defensed.
The production earned Berry a second career All-Pro selection and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year by The Associated Press.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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