INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Berry confirmed that he’ll meet with Joe Schobert’s agent here at the NFL combine in an effort to try to keep him from hitting the free agent market.

But Berry knows that Schobert stands to hit the jackpot in free agency, and that he might not be able to prevent him from testing the waters. Half a dozen teams or more could be interested in the 2017 Pro Bowler, and he stands to make double-digit millions if he shops around.

“Joe is a good player and an even better person,’’ Berry said. “We’re going to spend some time with his representation [Joe Panos] this week to talk through his contractual situation. He’s obviously earned the right to test the market if he deems that appropriate. But it’s one of those situations where we like Joe. It obviously has to work for both sides. It has to work for us from a cost perspective with our long-term roster strategy, and obviously it has to be a fit for Joe and his family as well."

One of five draft picks left on the roster from Sashi Brown’s 24 selections in 2016-17, Schobert wants to stay, but the money must be right. In the future, Berry hopes to wrap up the team’s core players before it gets to this point, but he has to make do this year. He must also make a decision on linebacker Christian Kirksey, who’s coming off a torn pectoral muscle.

“We’re going to be aggressive in engaging in pre-market extensions for players that we view as pillar players — long-term fits for the organization,’’ he said. “That does present it challenges, but those are challenges that we're going to have to face every year."

Coach Kevin Stefanski also likes Schobert’s game and his character.

“From everybody that I’ve spoken to in the building about Joe the person, I think it’s A-plus-plus,’’ he said. “So really looking forward to seeing how this whole process plays out, but this is free agency, so like Andrew mentioned earlier, it has to be both sides.’’

Berry, who declined to be specific about most players, was non-committal about defensive end Olivier Vernon, who’s due to make a non-guaranteed $15.25 million this year.

“Obviously, Olivier, he didn't have the year that he'd hoped this past season,’’ Berry said. “We still think he's a good player and then we're going to work through all those situations with all players across our roster over the next couple weeks.

Berry will also meet in Indy with the agent for Rashard Higgins, a source said. He’s also a pending unrestricted free agent and was in Freddie Kitchens’ doghouse last year.

“We have done a really nice of staying in communication with the representation for all players that have expiring deals and we’re going to touch base with a number of them,’’ Berry said. “I’m not going to get into any more specifics, but we believe in honest and direct communication and that’s something we’re going to continue over the next couple of weeks.’’

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