An All-Pro diagonal unexpectedly hits the open market. Nan.com’s Ian Rapoport Reports (via Twitter) that the Bears release veteran Kyle Fuller.
It sounds like the deal was mostly a financial decision, and Rapoport noted that ‘it’s the only cut from Chicago due to hood space.ESPN’s DiPN Russini tweets that the Bears wanted Fuller to take a ‘very significant payoff’, but the player preferred to test the open market. The 29-year-old had to pay $ 14 million next season and he had an expensive hit of $ 20 million.
The first pick in the first round in 2014 became a fan favorite in Chicago, with a few Pro Bowl appearances and an All-Pro first-team nod during his seven-year stint at the organization. Fuller leaves the organization that has defended fourth place on the franchise’s all-time list in passing (82), and he is in the top 20 for tackles (390) and interception (19).
After his fifth-year option for the 2018 season was rejected, Fuller was slapped with the transition mark. Eventually, he signed a $ 56 million-a-year deal with the Packers, including a $ 18 million guarantee. The Bears agreed to the contract and kept Fuller under contract through the 2021 season. Last off-season, the front office reworked the veteran’s contract. While the move saved the team $ 6.5 million at the time, it means Fuller’s 2021 cap would rise from $ 18.5 million to $ 20 million.
While Fuller could not earn his third straight Pro Bowl nod, he still had a productive 2020 campaign. The cornerback started all 16 games for Chicago, with 65 tackles, defending eight passes and intercepting one. He also started Chicago’s playoff game against the Saints.
Fuller will surely be a popular target now that he’s hit the free agency. William Jackson (Washington, three years, $ 42 million), Shaquill Griffin (Jaguars, three years, $ 40MM), and Patrick Peterson (Vikings, one year, $ 10MM) was one of the top agents in the free agent, which focused on free agency. Cornerbacks like Xavier Rhodes and Kevin King remains unsigned.
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