Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Branden Albert will sign his franchise tender soon, according to USA Today's Mike Garafolo.
Branden Albert will sign Chiefs franchise tender ‘soon’
Albert will earn $9.8 million next season once he signs the deal.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Signing the tender will give Albert a guaranteed $9.8 million in 2013.
Albert, 28, was franchised by the team just two weeks ago. Despite the new one-year deal, the Chiefs are reportedly listening to trade offers for the fifth-year left tackle.
Of course, the team can only trade Albert if he is under contract with the team -- meaning he needs to sign the franchise tender. Joel Thorman at Arrowhead Pride breaks down what this actually means for Albert and the Chiefs:
At a minimum, it means that Albert will be under contract next season. Bowe waited until the preseason to sign his tender, which meant he couldn’t be disciplined for missing the offseason program or training camp. That won’t happen with Albert. He will be present at the Chiefs offseason program.
[...]
Albert and the Chiefs will have until mid-July to work out a long-term agreement. If they can not do so by then, Albert will be forced to play out the 2013 season under his one-year franchise tender, and then face the same free agent situation in 2013.
Albert has been a dependable left tackle over his five seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs. Albert, who was the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, has played in 73 games over his career and started 71. He has missed seven games over his career.
Albert was a member of a deep draft class in 2008 for offensive tackles. Other tackles drafted in 2008 include Ryan Clady, Carl Nicks, Jake Long, Duane Brown, Josh Sitton and Gosder Cherilus.
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