Chiefs, Eric Fisher Discussed Extension

With the deadline for picking up fifth-year options on 2013 first-round picks more than a month away, the Chiefs are taking a proactive approach. They’ve discussed an extension with Eric Fisher, the No. 1 overall pick in that year’s draft, according to B.J. Kissel of Chiefs.com (on Twitter).

The Chiefs have until May 2 to decide whether or not to pick up the 2017 option for their left tackle, and John Dorsey has participated in talks with Fisher’s representatives about possibly prolonging Fisher’s stay in Kansas City.

Much like Luke Joeckel, whose fifth-year option doesn’t look like it will be exercised in Jacksonville, Fisher hasn’t lived up to his draft slot. His case for a fifth year in Kansas City isn’t as simple as Dontari Poe‘s was last year.

Having shown scant semblance of upper-echelon performance at either right or left tackle, Fisher could be due close to $12MM on a fifth-year option, with precise figures for the 2013 class having not been released yet. The Vikings are currently in this position with Matt Kalil, the No. 4 overall pick in 2012 who is set to make $11.09MM this season — the third-highest cap figure for left tackles in the league.

An extension would be a way of getting around that price tag while establishing some continuity to an offensive line that’s had little during the mid-2010s. The Chiefs have lost Geoff Schwartz, Branden Albert, Jon Asamoah, Rodney Hudson, Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson from their front since March 2014.

Fisher did improve last season and finish as Pro Football Focus’ No. 37-ranked tackle despite a sprained ankle slowing him down to start the season. The Chiefs relocated Fisher to right tackle in favor of the now-departed Stephenson but soon shuttled him back to the left side once Stephenson failed to deliver.

Although the Chiefs re-signed swing player Jah Reid last year and gave Mitchell Schwartz a hefty contract on Day 1 of 2016’s free agency period, they don’t have an obvious replacement for Fisher on the roster. And although it’s early, the Chiefs possess the fourth-fewest projected cap space for 2017, according to OverTheCap, at just more than $24MM after re-signing several players this offseason.

Kansas City re-signed Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Jaye Howard earlier this month after giving Travis Kelce an extension shortly after the season ended.

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