KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A decision on scheduled unrestricted free agent, Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert, has apparently been made.
The Chiefs are expected to allow Albert to enter the open market in lieu of signing him to a long-term deal when free agency opens on March 11, Danny Parkins of 610 Sports Radio reports.
Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert (76) during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Parkins also cited two unnamed sources on-air during his Wednesday afternoon show to supplement his tweet.
Meanwhile, Albert, 29, played the 2013 regular season under the franchise designation and enters the upcoming free agency period with six accrued seasons.
The Chiefs could still choose to again use the franchise label on Albert, and have from Feb. 17 to 4 p.m. ET on March 3 to make that decision. Doing so would cost the Chiefs more than $11 million.
Albert, whom the Chiefs selected with the 15th pick overall of the 2008 NFL Draft, was named to his first Pro Bowl last season.
He appeared in 12 regular season games with 12 starts, missing three games with a knee injury.
Should Albert leave as indicated in Parkins’ report, the Chiefs have Eric Fisher, last season’s No. 1 pick overall, and Donald Stephenson at the offensive tackle positions.
Fisher started the season at right tackle, while Stephenson started four games at left tackle and three at right tackle.
Attempts to reach Albert’s agent for comment surrounding Parkins’ report were unsuccessful.
But if anything, Wednesday’s news cycle appeared to catch Albert by surprise.
Did I miss anything? ? Lol I haven’t been told nothing. …breaking news to me….
— Branden Albert (@B_Albert76) February 12, 2014
