One of the more persistent rumors this off-season has been the talk of Branden Albert being traded by the Kansas City Chiefs after they gave him the franchise tag earlier on, but recent developments have brought both sides to a standstill, with Albert not getting the long-term contract he wants, but also gets to keep the position of left tackle.

The Chiefs were always going to take either Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher as their number one pick, and the hypothesis always said that before the draft, a deal with the Dolphins will be reached. Albert wants to play for the Chiefs, but he wants more than just the franchise tag (which gives him $9.8 million a season); he wants a long term contract, while not being moved from the left to the right tackle position.

A deal wasn’t reached, and the Dolphins weren’t interested in something that’s not a 2013 draft pick. Albert, for now, remains with the Chiefs, who surprised many by taking Eric Fisher instead of Joeckel and by announcing that Fisher will probably play as a right tackle, meaning that Albert suddenly becomes a lot closer to staying with the team he’s been with these past five seasons.

According to rumors, Albert had a long productive talk with new head coach Andy Reid, and it appears wants him to stick around, and isn’t going to do anything that will prevent Albert from showing up at training camp. Some suggested, including Albert himself, that a holdout might be necessary if the Chiefs force him to play at right tackle.

For now, the Chiefs’ offensive line, entrusted in keeping Alex Smith of his back, will be Albert and Fisher at tackles, Jeff Allen and Jon Asamoah at Guard and Rodney Hudson at Center.

Image: Source