Report: Albert Deal Dead Between Chiefs, Dolphins
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 1, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Branden Albert (76) walks to the locker room after the San Diego Chargers beat the Chiefs 31-13 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a potential deal between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs for left tackle Branden Albert is dead.
From Total Access: I'm told parties view Branden Albert deal as "dead." Chiefs will now turn their attention to a long-term deal for Albert.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2013
Branden Albert has signed his franchise tag, which would've triggered a trade. Now, it necessitates he show up for mandatory mini-camp.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2013
The history of these negotiations say things could change at any minute, but given then way this report is worded and the actions of the Miami Dolphins to look to bring in other tackles for looks would indicate a deal may actually be dead this time.
If Albert really is going to remain with the Chiefs this brings about a few questions.
1. Will the Chiefs sign Albert to a long-term deal?
This sounds like a silly idea, but Albert did say he was looking for a long-term deal and not a way out. He did not request the trade, the Chiefs put him on the trade block. Still, you may wonder if his feelings have changed given the last month’s developments and after the Chiefs drafted Eric Fisher.
Signing Albert long-term would still make sense if the Chiefs move him to right tackle. But if that happens he will be the most expensive right tackle in the league if Kansas City meets his current demands.
With that said, Albert has lost a lot of leverage given the way the trade negotiations have gone and because he will likely play right tackle in 2013, decreasing his value on the open market. If it is money Albert is looking for, he needs to do a deal now.
2. How sure are we Albert plays right tackle?
There is a chance Albert plays left tackle in 2013 if Eric Fisher proves to not be ready. But that would be a gamble on Albert’s part if he wants to tempt fate and an organization who wants to play their number one overall pick at left tackle.
It is safe to assume that Kansas City is going to give Fisher every chance to win the left tackle job, making the upcoming rookie and mini-camps very interesting to watch.
3. What is Miami thinking?
Given the options available to Miami, Albert is clearly the best choice for them to protect the blind side. We got a good look at Eric Winston in Kansas City and it is clear he is a liability in the passing game. Miami is far better off spending a second round pick to gain a first round left tackle than it is to pay too much for a tackle who cannot pass block.
If you’re team decides to go all-in the way the Dolphins have this offseason then you need to go all the way in and not just most of the way. And if not paying a second round pick in 2014 costs Miami a playoff spot in 2013 then Jeff Ireland is almost assuredly gone as Dolphins general manager.
Ultimately, Kansas City comes out in decent shape in all of this. Either they are going to sign Albert to a cheaper extension than what was previously being asked for, trade Albert for a draft pick(s), or, in a worst case scenario, get a compensation pick in the 2015 draft when he leaves for free agency.
And while Miami not trading for Albert is perplexing, Albert is the biggest loser here. If Miami was the only real suitor for Albert then he has lost leverage in a contract negotiation with Kansas City. And if he plays a full season at right tackle in 2013 then he will lose millions in a contract in free agency next year. Albert’s misunderstanding of his value has cost him dearly.