Chiefs sign Berry to reported 6-year, $78M contract

The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed Eric Berry to a long-term extension, the team announced Tuesday.

Official terms of the agreement weren't disclosed, but sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport the Chiefs made Berry the NFL's highest-paid safety with a six-year, $78-million contract.

Berry's new deal which allows Kansas City to avoid a second consecutive use of the franchise tag, includes $40 million in guarantees and a $20-million signing bonus, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

There was some uncertainty as to how the Chiefs would attack the offseason with such little cap space, but securing Berry's future was always thought to be a priority.

Getting him under contract long term will allow the team to use the franchise tag on prospective free-agent defensive tackle Dontari Poe, if need be.

Berry has been one of the league's most productive safeties since landing with the Chiefs as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 draft, earning five Pro Bowl appearances and three First-Team All-Pro nods in seven seasons.

Tthe 2016 campaign stands as one of his best to date, as the 28-year-old racked up 77 tackles, four interceptions, and nine passes defensed across 16 starts.