There is a big difference between a vet that's been in the league for awhile and knows what it takes to be in football shape verses a rookie who's never been in an NFL camp. Berry got himself back in shape from Chemo. I think he can handle getting/staying in shape from a holdout.

You should listen to the interview Reid did with Colin Cowherd.

He flat out says he wants Berry to make as much as he can, but that KC can't keep paying everyone "highest position money" because it's a salary capped league.

I took that as saying they won't be giving Berry a long term contract.

Especially when guys like Matheau got over 12m per year and next year the bar will be even higher...Berry will probably get over 13m per year in FA and we will get a third round comp pick for him.

I was making a poor joke about literal rust. I actually am not too worried about Berry taking a long time to make an impact.

Berry is baaaaack!!
 

Reid said he's in great shape and after going through chemo I don't think anyone here would have guessed any differently.

Big issue here will be him getting in "game shape" (ready for full contact) and missing reps with the new, young guys in the secondary.

Best of luck to him. It's a great story. I hope he's in game shape by week 2. :)

Check out his presser on kcchiefs.com. Honestly, I've never had a problem with Berry and the presser helps solidify that for me. Yes, he held out. My guess is, like all players, he wants a long term deal for what he is worth, the Chiefs could not or would not give that to him at this time, so he trained on his own knowing he'd be back. He kept a low profile and just did his thing. To me, he seemed genuine and loves being a Chiefs and is looking forward to playing. That's all you can really want out of a guy.

I don't know how to embed from there:

http://www.chiefs.com/media-center/v...6-16264a574968

If this doesn't link me to a Twitter post about how much he loves this team then he can go straight to hell!

A real feel good interview ,bottom line they can't agree on the money

Yet.

The Chiefs will not give Eric Berry $40 million guaranteed and $12 million per.

Not only would such a move wreck their cap, he doesn't play a premium position.

Enjoy EB's final season in KC.

If the Chiefs and Berry couldn't agree to a long term deal in 2016, there's no chance they agree in 2017, when the contract numbers will be higher.

He'll be in Atlanta next season is my expectation.

If this is Berry's last season in KC, then so be it. Thanks for the great play, and good luck. Now, let's spend $12M per on a premium pass rusher to replace Ford.

....and when the cap will also go up. Never say never.

You actually think avoiding training cap etc is going to reduce his risk of being injury?

Every play he avoids in preseason to avoid injury leads to increased risk of injury during the first 3/4 games of the regular season.

The tag money is guaranteed once he signs it whether he blows his knee out in a preseason game or blows it out during the regular season. Same money either way.