Eric Berry will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs for the foreseeable future.
The fan-favorite safety is set to sign a six-year, $78 million extension with the Chiefs at the onset of free agency. ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported on the deal. Berry’s new contract carries with it $40 million in guaranteed money as well as a $20 million signing bonus and makes him the highest paid player at his position in the NFL.
Chiefs gave S Eric Berry a six-year, $78 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed and a $20 mil signing bonus, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2017
Eric Berry to Sign Six-Year, $78 Million Extension With Kansas City Chiefs
The seven-year veteran is coming off another impressive campaign in the Chiefs secondary. He finished with four interceptions which equalled a career high set during his rookie season of 2010, returning two for touchdowns. Against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13, with K.C. trailing by a point, Berry intercepted an attempted two-point conversion and took it the opposite way. The rare pick two gave the Chiefs a 29-28 win.
The 28-year-old famously overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with late in the 2014 season. After a nine-month battle that included chemotherapy, doctors declared Berry cancer free the following July. He proceeded to put together a Pro Bowl caliber season that included two interceptions and ten pass breakups. As a result, the NFL named him the league’s Comeback Player of the Year.
Kansas City drafted Berry fifth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft after a standout career at Tennessee. His time with the Volunteers resulted in SEC defensive player of the year honors as a junior. A year later, he won the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in college football. He earned all-conference and unanimous all-American honors both seasons.
The five-time Pro Bowler is currently second all-time among Chiefs players with five interception returns for touchdowns. His 51 career pass breakups is the fifth highest in franchise history and second most among safeties.
