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The Kansas City Chiefs couldn't agree to a long-term deal with Eric Berry by Friday's deadline, meaning the safety will play under the franchise tag this season. Berry will make $10.8 million in 2016. More shocking than a deal not getting done was the Chiefs reportedly asking Berry, who beat cancer last year, to pay for a disability policy that made the team its beneficiary, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
It was reportedly a $20 million policy that would have carried a $2 million premium. The team backed off that demand during talks.
Berry and the Chiefs reportedly had one more conversation on Friday, according to ESPN, but were not able to make any progress toward a deal.
After overcoming cancer and capturing the Comeback Player of the Year award last season, it seemed likely that Berry and the Chiefs would agree to a new contract extension. But it was reported earlier this week that negotiations had stalled after months of talks.
Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2014 after an MRI showed a mass on the right side of his chest. Just seven months later, in July 2015, Berry was announced to be cancer-free. He was able to quickly get back into his football routine due to his dedication to staying fit throughout his cancer treatments.
The 2015 season was a huge success for the 27-year-old safety. He totaled 61 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions during the regular season, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. It may not have been his best season statistically, but given all he endured off the field, returning in 2015 was a feat in and of itself.
He missed limited time after his cancer diagnosis at the end of the 2014 season, but had missed several games midseason due to an ankle injury. Berry also missed most of the 2011 season with a torn ACL.