We pointed out on Saturday that the window was closing on a trade that would send Darrelle Revis from New York to Tampa. And the deal went down on Sunday.
We’ll now point out that the window is closing on a trade that would send Branden Albert from Kansas City to Miami.
While the physical isn’t as critical in Albert’s situation as it was for Revis, the physical still needs to happen before any draft pick is surrendered and used by the team trading the player.
As of Sunday, it had been at least five days since the Chiefs had heard from the Dolphins about a possible trade. Albert’s asking price on a long-term deal could be the problem.
For Albert, the reality is that he can play out the 2013 season under the franchise tag (which at $9.8 million pays out much more than current market value) and hit free agency in 2014. So why agree to a long-term deal now when he’d have a shot at the first day of the 2014 spending spree?
Of course, if Albert isn’t traded he risks being moved to right tackle, or possibly being benched.
Then there’s a chance that the Chiefs will decide they simply don’t want the headache of a guy on a one-year deal who doesn’t want to yield the left side to the first overall pick in the draft. Since it’s too late to rescind the franchise tag, the Chiefs could decide to trade him without an extension. Though that arrangement would generate less compensation for the Chiefs, a condition could be added that would give Kansas City an extra pick or two if Albert signs a new deal with his new team.
Regardless, if Albert is going to become a Dolphin in time for a second-round pick (or whatever the 2013 draft compensation will be) to go to Kansas City, it needs to happen pretty soon.