Tennessee football’s Eric Berry has $40 million guaranteed and a $20 million bonus. Kansas City made the Volunteers legend the NFL’s highest paid safety.
After making clear that he would not play in 2017 without a long-term deal, the Kansas City Chiefs listened to former Vol Eric Berry.
And in response, they made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Eric Berry signed a six-year deal with the Chiefs worth $78 million.
Chiefs gave S Eric Berry a six-year, $78 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed and a $20 mil signing bonus, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2017
At age 28, the deal may seem excessive for some.
But Berry is not even your average superstar safety. He’s your average transformative NFL legend.
He has made All-Pro each of the last two seasons, and he also single-handedly won two games for the Chiefs this past year.
The guy has made a Pro Bowl every single season that he has finished, and he has only failed to finish two. One was due to an injury, and another was due to having lymphoma.
But that lymphoma sickness only increased his allure and his status. The way he handled it set an amazing example for everybody.
As an all-around great guy and leader already, he manages to bring out the best in everybody, off the field and on the field.
Also, by keeping him, the Chiefs can place the franchise tag on Dontari Poe, which keeps their elite defense in tact.
And it gives them some room to make some offensive moves.
As a result, the signing works out great for both parties, and it’s a signing that a legend like Eric Berry richly deserves.