NEWSLETTER
At the end of this season, Ryan Pace will have a bevy of important decisions to make regarding the construction of the 2018 roster. But among the most important will be whether or not to bring back cornerback Kyle Fuller, who’s a free agent at year’s end.
And, of course, even if there is interest in a reunion on both sides, he’ll have to figure out how far Bears should be willing to go on a deal? To be sure, Fuller is far from a perfect player, but lately, he’s proven just how valuable he can be.
Fuller’s 91.2 grade in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week. He was targeted nine times while facing all-world receiver A.J. Green, but limited him to three catches and 14 yards. Fuller also added three pass break-ups, including two thrown in Green’s direction. This was the kind of performance former GM Phil Emery probably had in mind when he chose Fuller with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Overall, Fuller’s 78.8 grade from PFF ranks 46th of 120 qualifying cornerbacks this season. He has played 95.5 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, playing 100 percent of the snaps in six games and at least 90 percent of the snaps in five other contests. So while his grade ranks third among Bears corners in 2017, his team-leading 485 coverage snaps shouldn’t be overlooked.
You (or, rather, Pace) must also consider the impending exit of teammate and fellow corner Prince Amukamara at the end of the season. After all, Marcus Cooper has struggled and has played more snaps on special teams than at cornerback since Week 6. Bryce Callahan and Cre’von LeBlanc have both performed well in the slot, but the Bears can’t afford to lose both starting corners on the outside via free agency.
Fuller has put his contract status on the back-burner, according to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, but his play should make him a priority for the Bears’ offseason plans. What his next contract looks like is still to be determined, but the 2017 class of free agents gives us an idea of what some parameters could be.
A.J. Bouye had a career year in 2016, which turned out to be his final season with the Houston Texans. Bouye parlayed that season into a five-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $67.5 million and included $26 million in guarantees. Stephon Gilmore signed a signed a similar deal with the Patriots (five years, $65 million), but with a much larger guarantee ($40 million!).
Fuller probably won’t get close to those numbers. Instead, a more reasonable comp for the Bears’ blossoming corner would be the deal the Tennessee Titans handed Logan Ryan in the offseason. Ryan left the Patriots and signed a three-year deal worth $30 million that netted him $16 million in total guarantees.
The 2018 class of free agent corners is headlined by Trumaine Johnson (Rams), Malcolm Butler (Patriots), Jonathan Joseph (Texans), and teammate Prince Amukamara. Fuller will get paid, but the market above him will determine how much he’ll get and by which team.
Fuller has grown up in Vic Fangio’s scheme after transitioning from Mel Tucker’s defensive teachings as a rookie. He is also playing with confidence that he hasn’t shown since 2015. Whether or not Fangio returns next season, the Bears would be wise to give Fuller an extended look when the offseason officially rolls around.
