The top priority for Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace going into 2018 is hands down finding a new head coach. That must command his full attention. It’s the single-most important decision he’s going to make arguably for the rest of his career. Perhaps even more so than his picking of Mitch Trubisky in the previous draft. Beyond that though his next item on the agenda has come into focus. He must find a way to extend cornerback Kyle Fuller.
Pace had that opportunity before the season began by exercising the fifth-year option in Fulller’s current rookie contract. However, that would’ve been ill-advised at the time. Fuller had missed the entire 2016 season due to a knee injury. Agreeing to pay Fuller top money after that would’ve been a bad business decision.
Looking back though most Bears fans no doubt wish he had. In truth nobody saw this 2017 season coming for Fuller. The former first round pick had been inconsistent his entire career. Couple that with his injury and nobody in their right mind would’ve expected this. Now though it puts Pace in an awkward position. How awkward?
Film expert sees Kyle Fuller flirting with the big “S” word
Ian Wharton is among one of the more respected tape enthusiasts in the field. The Bleacher Report analyst wasn’t just impressed, he was blown away by how well Fuller played in the win over the Cleveland Browns.
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Kyle Fuller's Week 16 against Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman is the most productive and probably best game tape I've seen from any corner all season long. I credit most top-end corners with maybe 1-2 "shutdown" snaps weekly, Fuller had 5. Only out of position on 1 dig route.
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) December 26, 2017
Have the Bears ever truly had a “shutdown” cornerback? Charles Tillman came the closest during his peak years. Regardless the way Fuller is playing right now is bonkers. Then again when one’s future is at stake, these sort of performances can happen. Wharton isn’t the only one who recognized how dominant the performance was. Pro Football Focus turned in their ratings and it was a rout.
The highest graded CBs in Week 16
🔒⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gv7gYWmXCj
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 26, 2017
Fuller’s year is so much more than the numbers
If one were to simply examine the stats, they’d see Fuller is having a good year. He has 65 tackles, two interceptions and 22 passes defended. People who see that would be mildly impressed. It’s not until one watches the tape, sees the smothering coverage and the physical tackling that they realize how above most other corners Fuller is playing right now.
This is not another former high draft choice they can afford to lose. Not another Alshon Jeffery situation. To that end Pace must be prepared to spend some money. If extension talks don’t initially go well, then the franchise tag could come into play.
