The Chicago Bears were caught by the 2021 salary cap crunch like several other teams. Now they’re being forced to find creative ways to free up space. Thus far they’ve managed to avoid any noteworthy sacrifices. However, after signing Andy Dalton to a hefty $10 million deal for this season, it’s safe to say they can’t avoid it any longer. So who could it be? Seems cornerback Kyle Fuller is the one to watch.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, there is a genuine buzz picking up around the league that Fuller could be available shortly unless the Bears find a way to extend his contract and lower his 2021 cap hit. With the new league year set to start this afternoon, it feels like they’re up against the clock. Would they dare trade or even cut him? It feels like that possibility has grown.
One possibility that I didn't think would happen: #Bears could wind up parting ways with veteran CB Kyle Fuller today. His cap hit is $20 million and absent a contract extension to lower that figure, it could happen. That's the buzz around the league right now.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 17, 2021
It's also possible Fuller could be traded but an acquiring team would have to supply a new contract, so it's not like #Bears would get a bounty in return. Would create a huge hole in the secondary.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 17, 2021
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This would be a brutal blow to the Bears defense.
Fuller was easily their best defensive back the past two years and one of the better corners in the league. One can safely bet if not for the cap plunge this offseason, he wouldn’t be going anywhere. Yet Chicago is in an uncompromising position. There aren’t a lot of players they can trade or release and receive a large chunk of cap space. Fuller would bring $11 million in breathing room.
One has to think the arrival of Jaylon Johnson, who played really well as a rookie last year, is playing a part in this decision. The Bears must feel that Johnson will ascend to become their new #1 corner and they can use free agency or the draft to find a solid #2 guy. It’s not ideal but this team is short on options. This was always a possibility. In fact, sources informed SM such moves were likely coming back in January.
Kyle Fuller will go down as a great Bears story
Expectations were high on him when he was drafted 14th overall in 2014. Phil Emery’s last 1st round pick. After a strong start as a rookie, his play declined that season and wasn’t great in 2015 either. Then he suffered a knee injury that knocked him out for all of 2016. Most people had given up on him by that point. However, he rebounded in 2017 with a strong season. Then he delivered an All-Pro campaign with seven interceptions in 2018. Since then he’s been a rock in the Bears secondary.
Losing him is going to be tough. It was likely going to come down to either him or Akiem Hicks who would garner $10.5 million in space. It seems GM Ryan Pace sees Hicks having more value to their overall defense than Fuller. Not an unfounded belief. Not to mention this is a good year for teams who need cornerback help. There are plenty of solid veterans on the market and the draft appears littered with possibilities too.
That doesn’t make this any easier to swallow.
Kyle Fuller is a stud. He’ll likely remain a stud wherever he ends up next until Chicago somehow pulls a miracle before the deadline this afternoon. Considering how important the defense is to success this season, it doesn’t feel like Fuller leaving will make them better. Quite the opposite, in fact.