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Upset over contract status, Chiefs' Eric Berry won't report to camp

In the days leading up to the July 15 deadline for teams to sign their designated franchise players, the Kansas City Chiefs and safety Eric Berry were reportedly “miles apart” on a deal.

So it’s probably not a surprise that Berry has decided not to report to training camp when team veterans gather on Friday; rookies and quarterbacks reported Tuesday.

Eric Berry (Getty Images)
Eric Berry (Getty Images)

Since Berry has not signed his franchise tag, and is therefore not under contract, he cannot be fined by the club.

Berry’s recent battle with Hodgkin’s disease played a role in negotiations, with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reporting that the Chiefs wanted Berry to pay for a disability insurance policy that would have named the team as beneficiary. Though the Chiefs later pulled that request, Berry was not pleased.

The 27-year-old is said to be looking for a contract similar to the five-year, $51.25 million deal Harrison Smith received from the Minnesota Vikings.

Berry was named first-team All-Pro last year in his comeback from his cancer battle, playing all 16 games, starting 15, returning to form with two interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 55 tackles.