The much-discussed potential trade of Branden Albert from the Chiefs to the Dolphins doesn’t appear likely at the price Albert is currently seeking.
Although the Chiefs and Dolphins can probably agree on compensation -- the Dolphins sending a second-round pick to Kansas City -- the hangup is that Albert wants the kind of money that the Dolphins aren’t willing to spend. Specifically, according to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, Albert wants between $8 million and $9 million a year on a long-term deal.
In other words, Albert is looking for the same kind of contract that left tackle Jake Long got from the Rams -- the very contract the Dolphins wouldn’t give Long, which is why he left Miami for St. Louis.
If the Dolphins weren’t willing to pay Long that kind of money, it’s hard to see why they’d be willing to give up a second-round draft pick for the privilege of paying Albert that kind of money. So the Dolphins may need to look elsewhere for a left tackle. And Albert may have to settle for playing this season for the Chiefs, making $9.8 million, and hitting free agency next year.