NFL free agency: Kansas City Chiefs LT Branden Albert expected to hit market

One need that the Arizona Cardinals have entering the offseason and the 2014 season is to find a left tackle. Free agency might be the way they go. In fact, on more than one occasion, local reporter Mike Jurecki has said the the team will have interest in Kansas City Chiefs tackle Branden Albert.

Jurecki and his Fox Sports 910 cohost, Jody Oehler had Soren Petro, a Kansas City radio host, on the air on Thursday to talk about the Chiefs, the playoffs and Albert.

Petro was pretty clear about Albert -- he expects that he will not return to the Chiefs in 2014. The team used the franchise tag on him last offseason and he earned nearly $10 million for the 2013 season. Originally it llooked like they were going to trade him, but no transaction came through.

They drafted Eric Fisher with the first pick in the draft in April and expect him to take over at left tackle next season.

Petro cited durability and salary cap issues for the Chiefs as other reasons why Albert will be playing for another team.

How much will he command in the open market? It took Eric Winston, a Chief in 2012, until training camps began to get signed by the Cardinals for much less than he was anticipating.

Albert has played all 16 games in a season only once in his career, but until 2012 had never played less than 14. He started 11 games in 2012 and 13 in 2013.

Jurecki repeats that he hears that there is interest in Albert within the organization.

If the Chiefs do not really have plans of retaining him, then Arizona will have their chance. How much is the six-year veteran worth? He has started 83 games in six years. He is a Pro Bowler this season. He was good enough to get franchised last offseason.

What will it take to sign him? Should the Cardinals go this direction? Tell us in the comments.