Chiefs place franchise tag on All-Pro safety Eric Berry

If they don’t, Berry will earn $10.81 million under the tag in 2016.

Locking up Berry for the foreseeable future is now the next priority for the Chiefs as they have secured his talents for at least the 2016 National Football League season.

Berry has consistently been one of the top safeties since the Chiefs drafted him with the fifth overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday they have placed the franchise tag on safety Eric Berry. He does not have to sign the tender immediately, though – essentially giving Berry the freedom to skip offseason workouts, training camp and even the preseason with no penalty.

The Chiefs have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Berry.

The team’s emotional on-field leader, Berry proceeded to have the finest season of his six-year career.

“I think that’s important for him, and that’s important for the organization moving forward”.

This is the third time John Dorsey has used the franchise tag. Since Kansas City was able to keep Berry in the fold, it has to feel good about selling other players to stay as well.

With the non-exclusive franchise designation, other teams can negotiate with Berry, but the Chiefs can match any offer. If Berry and another team reach an agreement then Kansas City will have a chance to match the proposed contract, and Berry remains with the Chiefs.

“Certainly, Eric is somebody that’s very important to the franchise”, Hunt said a few days before Super Bowl 50.

In the case of Berry, the Chiefs took another step Tuesday toward making that happen.