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The deadline for Branden Albert to sign a long-term deal with the Kansas City Chiefs is today. More specifically it is in about eight hours. At 3 p.m. (Arrowhead Time), Albert will need to have a long-term deal signed with the Chiefs or else he will be forced to play out the 2013 season under the one-year franchise tender.
Albert and the Chiefs have been talking about a long-term contract dating all the way back to last year. When GM Scott Pioli was in charge, the two sides were negotiating and some might say they were optimistically close to a deal. But then Pioli was fired, John Dorsey was hired and the Chiefs drafted Eric Fisher.
Eric Fisher talks expected to heat up
Fisher and the Chiefs are expected to start talking contract after July 4.
We do know that the two sides were expected to talk this week, but that's about all we know. Broncos' Ryan Clady signed a five-year, $57.5 million contract but unlike Clady's negotiations we don't know the type of dollars the two sides are talking about. $7 million per year? $8 million? $10 million? The two sides have been very good at keeping that a secret ... or else the talks haven't even progressed to that point.
The latest update on the situation came from NFL Network's Albert Breer who said last weekend there wasn't even a formal contract offer on the table. There seems to be little optimism that a deal will be struck by this afternoon.
Do I see a deal getting done? Nope. There doesn't seem to be a ton of motivation to even do a deal. Albert is already under contract. He has some leverage because he's carrying a large cap number. The Chiefs have some leverage because they drafted Eric Fisher. I just don't see a deal getting done.
While we're here, a few commonly asked questions about Albert...
How much will Albert make this season?
$9.8 million under the franchise tender, which he has already signed.
All Albert updates here
Find all of our coverage of Albert's contract here.
How much money are they talking about?
We don't know.
Would Albert remain a left tackle if he were signed long-term?
Probably.
Could the Chiefs franchise tag him again?
Yes. The price of the tag would be 120 percent of his salary this year; or $11.76 million.
What happens if Albert doesn't sign a long-term deal today?
He will play out the rest of the season under the $9.8 million franchise tender and be put in the same position next year, entering free agency without a contract.
Is Albert expected to be a Chief this year?
Yes, barring any stunners, he will be a Chief. He is under contract.