Sept. 17; 2015; Kansas City, MO: Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher (72) during pregame warm-ups against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of left tackle Eric Fisher to a contract extension Saturday.
According to various media reports, the contract is for four years and totals $48 million, including $40 million in guaranteed money. The Chiefs did not disclose the terms of the contract.
“We were able to reach an agreement with Eric and his representatives on a contract extension,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in statement. “In three seasons he’s grown significantly as a football player in our system. He’s a tough, physical presence and a leader on our offensive line. We look forward to keeping him as a part of our organization and community.”
Fisher thanked the Chiefs ownership, management and coaches, and said he hopes to remain a Chief for life.
“I’ve grown to love this city, the fans and everybody around,” Fisher said.
Head coach Andy Reid said the contract extension was a tribute to Fisher’s hard work and effort to improve, particularly during last year’s playoff season.
“I thought he continually got better last year, Reid said. “I still think he has plenty of room to improve. I think he’ll continue to do that. He’s got a good work ethic, he’s kind of grown up before our eyes.”
Fisher joined the Chiefs with great fanfare as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Reid acknowledged Fisher struggled at times earlier in his career but has emerged as a player the Chiefs rely upon at a critical position.
“He had some games that I know he wished he had back when he was young and had a couple of injuries in there,” Reid said. “But he preserved through it and got rewarded for it.”
Alex Smith is happy for his left tackle, who he said has shown a steady climb in improvement since his rookie season.
“I think he’s continued to work hard in the areas he needed to work, Smith said. “He’s never settled, he’s never gotten complacent, he’s been real with himself, and continued to work on things. He’s really, really progressed. It’s one of the hardest positions in football.”
The reported value of the contract places Fisher among the top five highest-paid left tackles in the league. Fisher was previously signed with the team through 2017 season after the Chiefs picked up the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
The agreement is critical for the Chiefs looking toward next offseason. Defensive tackle Dontari Poe and safety Eric Berry will be unrestricted free agents. With Fisher under contract, the Chiefs have the option of using the franchise tag on Poe or Berry. Berry was tagged with the franchise label this season.
For Fisher, the new contract means he can focus on the future.
“I really think the sky’s the limit for me,” he explained. “I just need to take one day at a time, one game at a time, one year at a time now.
Matt Derrick is the associate editor for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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