This time a year ago, Eric Berry faced an uncertain NFL future as he battled cancer. One year later, Berry's future in the league a little less uncertain and whole lot more secure. On Tuesday, the Chiefs franchise tagged Berry after a season that landed him the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award, as first reported by NFL.com's Rand Getlin.
According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Chiefs notified Berry that he'll be tagged and the team will file the paperwork before the 4 p.m. deadline.
Berry recorded 61 combined tackles and two picks in 2015. His performance was so impressive that he landed a Pro Bowl spot and was named first-team All-Pro.
Here are three things to know about Berry's situation with the Chiefs (and keep up with our franchise-tag tracker here):
1. Money well earned. If Berry ends up playing under the franchise tag in 2016 (more on this later), he'll earn $10,806,000. Berry more than earned that raise.
As previously mentioned, Berry's future in the league was in doubt this time last year. In 2014, Berry appeared in six games before he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
But Berry battled back, even while undergoing chemotherapy.
Berry opted to have IVs during each chemotherapy in order for him to work out during the process. He came out of chemo a pound heavier.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 29, 2015
On June 22, Berry discovered that he was cancer free. In late July, he began practicing with the team. In October, he recorded his first interception.
That moment when @Stuntman1429 gets his first INT since beating cancer... #BerryStrong #PITvsKC https://t.co/u2YlzB7CfV
— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2015
He ended up playing in all 16 games and snagged an interception during the Chiefs' brief playoff run. After the season, he won Comeback Player of the Year. So yes, the money is well deserved.
The feel-good story continues in Kansas City.
2. A long-term deal could be coming. In Getlin's original report, he included an important piece of information.
I'm told the #Chiefs plan to tag safety Eric Berry. Both sides interested in working toward a long-term deal.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 1, 2016
Berry is still only 27 years old, so Earl Thomas' four-year, $40 million contract could be used as a starting point. The team and player will have until July 15 to come to terms on a multi-year deal.
3. The Chiefs still have work to do, because they have more free agents to re-sign.
After a remarkable 2015 season saw them rip off 10 straight wins to make the playoffs, the Chiefs have an important offseason ahead. Is pass rusher Tamba Hali worth the money at his age? What about linebacker Derrick Johnson? He's 33 but still thrived in 2015. Will fellow safety Tyvon Branch re-join Berry in the defensive backfield?
Luckily, the Chiefs know that they'll have Berry to anchor the secondary, but questions in Kansas City remain.
