The Chicago Bears defense looked like it had two superstars when it began 2018. That was Akiem Hicks with all his monstrous presence on the defensive line. Then it was Khalil Mack, the edge rushing terror from Oakland GM Ryan Pace stole in the dead of night like a classic jewel thief. Before long it also became clear that Eddie Jackson, the rangy young safety from Alabama was taking his own steps into the limelight.
These were the crown jewels of Pace’s rebuilding efforts. Except much of that success couldn’t have been done without one pillar left behind in the rubble of the Phil Emery era. Nobody expected much out of Kyle Fuller in 2015 after the disastrous end to his rookie year. Most felt the former 14th overall pick was destined to be a bust like most of the others from that forgettable period.
He was the guy they “settled” for after just missing out on Aaron Donald, who went at #13. His 2015 season offered a little encouragement as he finished strong, but quickly evaporated when he missed all of 2016 with a knee injury. The Bears made the decision to not pick up his fifth-year option the next offseason, putting it on him to prove he deserved a new deal.
Fuller responded with the best season of his career with two interceptions and 22 passes defended. Chicago gave him a new contract, content in knowing they had a good player in their secondary.
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Except, as it turns out? They may have gotten a bargain.
Kyle Fuller has emerged as another star for the Chicago Bears defense
People haven’t really been paying attention to Fuller because of all the success his teammates are having. That’s a mistake because he isn’t just having one of the best years a Bears corner has ever had. He’s having one of the best years of any cornerback in the NFL this season. Not only does Fuller lead all corners in the league with five interceptions, but he also leads all defensive backs with 20 passes defended.
Fifth INT on the year for Kyle Fuller and he also put a couple on the ground earlier this year. Amazing how many times he gets his hands on the football. The Bears and their fourth-quarter turnovers are the great defensive hope this year.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 22, 2018
Remember. He had two interceptions and 22 passes defended in 16 games last year. He’s played 11 games this year. That’s an incredible jump in productivity and a surefire sign that Fuller is finally playing at the level many experts saw in him coming out of Virginia Tech. The fact he’s doing this after the career start he had with the bad rookie year and the knee injury? It’s one of the best Chicago sports stories in years that no one is talking about.
While he deserves much of the credit for the turnaround, one must also give a huge nod to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He could’ve easily shut the door on Fuller and moved on. Instead he embraced the embattled youth, coached him up every day and never lost confidence that the talent would eventually blossom.
Now he and the rest of Chicago are being rewarded for the patience.
