Chiefs franchise tag decision one day away, Dwayne Bowe or Branden Albert

The franchise tag deadline is just over 24 hours away and we still don't have an indication from the KC Chiefs leadership which way they'll go. The decision is between Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs top receiver, and Branden Albert, the Chiefs starting left tackle.

The most popular prediction is that Bowe gets the tag and Albert either walks or signs a new deal. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora calls it a "fluid" situation with the Chiefs, and writes that the Chiefs are open to signing one and tagging the other -- if they can get a longterm deal done with one of them.

The KC Star's Adam Teicher reported earlier this week that the Chiefs "seem optimistic" that they can get a deal done with Bowe. But if they don't, they can still tag Bowe by Monday's deadline. I'd predict Bowe gets tagged either way. The Chiefs can then still continue to work on a longterm deal with him.

Teicher wrote that the Chiefs "aren't as optimistic" about a deal with Albert. By many accounts, it sure seems Albert is going to test free agency. In most years, I'd say if he hits free agency, he's gone. But this is a tackle-heavy year. There's the possibility that Albert's big money on the open market just isn't there, which makes me wonder if he could return to KC even if he hits free agency.

Fluid. That really is a good way of putting it.