Branden Albert will not hold out after he told the Kansas City Chiefs that he will sign his franchise tender, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported on Monday. USA Today's Mike Garafolo first reported the news. The franchise tag pays $9.828 million in 2013.
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Albert's signing opens up several options for the Chiefs. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported the organization would be open to trading the former No. 15 overall pick from the 2008 draft when it first tagged Albert. There are a number of offensive tackle prospects (Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher and maybe Oklahoma's Lane Johnson) who could be selected with the No. 1 overall draft pick. Albert also allows the Chiefs to trade out of the spot if they so desire.
The Chiefs and Albert can continue to negotiate the long-term deal that wasn't reached before they used the tag.
The Chiefs have to be thrilled with the flexibility of having an elite offensive tackle under contract to go with quarterback Alex Smith, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, running back Jamaal Charles and the No. 1 pick.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
