INDIANAPOLIS – The Chiefs have begun the process of addressing pending free agents before the start of the league’s calendar year, which begins on March 10.
Nov 20, 2014; Oakland, CA; Chiefs strong safety Ron Parker (38) defends against Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) at O.co Coliseum. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs and defensive back Ron Parker’s representative have talked at the Combine, a source confirmed with ChiefsDigest.com.
The two sides could talk again before the Combine is over, the source adds.
That the Chiefs and Parker’s agent opened the communication lines shouldn’t surprise, as Chiefs general manager John Dorsey pointed out the benefit of both parties being present for the Combine.
“That’s the great thing about having some of the agents here in this venue as well,” Dorsey said Thursday. “It gives you a chance to have discussions with their representatives.”
Still, re-signing Parker would make sense.
The fourth-year pro joined the Chiefs on Sept. 1, 2013 after being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks. Parker, who measures 6-0, 206 pounds, displayed versatility in 2014, appearing in all 16 games with 15 starts (11 at safety).
The 27-year-old Parker finished second on the team with 94 total tackles (84 solo), adding a sack and an interception.
Parker filled in for Eric Berry from Weeks 3 to 9 while Berry recovered from a high ankle sprain. He finished the season at strong safety after Berry was placed on the non-football injury list after being diagnosed with lymphoma in Week 13. It remains to be seen if Berry will play in 2015.
In the meantime, bringing back Parker should center on his asking price.
The “initial asking price is still roughly $6 million a year,” Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.
Parker earned a base salary of $645,000 in 2014 after earning a base salary of $555,000 in 2013.
