Fins & Chiefs Trade Talks Continue
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The on again, off again trade talks between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs for the rights to left tackle Branden Albert were on again as of Thursday morning, according to Steve Wyche of NFL Network.
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey confirmed Wednesday the talks were ongoing. Dorsey indicated the only hangup to the deal was the compensation the Dolphins would give Kansas City in the deal. It's believed the Chiefs are asking for the first of two second-round picks the Dolphins own.
However, Wyche reported that it's possible the Chiefs want further compensation for the massive left tackle. Kansas City is willing to get rid of Albert because they are expected to draft his replacement with the number one pick in Thursday's first round of the NFL Draft.
Albert is reportedly asking for approximately $9 million per season, which could complicate things for the Dolphins. The Fins are reportedly looking at trading wide receiver Davone Bess, with the Cleveland Browns believed to be interested.
If Miami can trade Bess, that would clear up $3 million in cap space, according to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post. The extra $3 million would give the Fins enough salary cap space to take in Albert's current deal of $9.8 million, the franchise tag contract. Miami could also restructure Albert on a long-term deal which would free up more immediate cap space.
According to Volin, the Fins have just $8.3 million in cap space, but that number will increase by $10 million after June 1 thanks to the releases of Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett earlier this year.
The Fins will want to send Albert through a full medical test before agreeing to trade for him, but so far, the Chiefs have not allowed the Dolphins to do that as of early Thursday afternoon.
