Eric Berry refuses to play another year on franchise tag
Eric Berry will not sell himself short any longer.
The Kansas City Chiefs' All-Pro safety reluctantly agreed to play the 2016 season on a one-year franchise tag and put together another stellar year, recording four interceptions, another All-Pro selection, and a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Now, Berry is in the market for a long-term deal and won't take anything less.
"I'm definitely not going to play under the franchise tag this year," Berry said Thursday on NFL Network, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.
"I want to end my career in Kansas City. I want to play there. I love the city, I love the vibe, I love my teammates ... But I don't feel comfortable playing under the franchise tag this year."
Berry has spent his first seven seasons in Kansas City and is widely considered to be one of the NFL's top safeties, but he says he's prepared to sit out the 2017 season if he doesn't reach a new deal.
"I’ll just take that time to chill with my family, honestly, (and) I'll sit the season out," Berry told Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. "I just want what's right. That's it."
Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe is also scheduled to be a free agent this offseason.