An All-Pro cornerback unexpectedly enters the open market. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport Reports (via Twitter) that the Bears release veteran Kyle Fuller
It sounds like the transaction was primarily a financial decision, with Rapoport noting that “this is Chicago’s only cut due to cap space.Dianna Russini from ESPN tweets that the Bears wanted Fuller to receive a “very significant reward,” but the player preferred to test the open market. The 29-year-old had to pay $ 14 million next season, and he had a pricey limit of $ 20 million.
The 2014 first-round pick became a fan favorite in Chicago, earning a few Pro Bowl appearances and a first All-Pro nod during his seven-year stint with the organization. Fuller leaves the organization fourth on the franchise’s all-time list in defended passes (82), and he is in the top-20 for tackles (390) and interceptions (19).
After his fifth-year option was denied for the 2018 season, Fuller was slapped with the transitional tag. He eventually struck a four-year $ 56 million deal with the Packers, including $ 18 million guaranteed. The Bears agreed to the contract and kept Fuller under contract for the 2021 season. At the end of the off-season, the front office reworked the veteran’s contract. While the move saved the team $ 6.5 million at the time, it meant that Fuller’s cap hit would rise from $ 18.5 million to $ 20 million in 2021.
While Fuller didn’t earn his third straight Pro Bowl kink, he still had a prolific 2020 campaign. The cornerback started all 16 games for Chicago, compiling 65 tackles, eight defended passes and one interception. He also started Chicago’s playoff loss to the Saints.
Fuller will certainly be a popular target now that he’s become a hit. William Jackson (Washington, three years, $ 42 million), Shaquill Griffin (Jaguars, three years, $ 40 million), ed Patrick Peterson (Vikings, one year, $ 10 million) were among the top cornerbacks of free agents on their way to free agency. Cornerbacks like Xavier Rhodes and Kevin King remain unsigned.
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