With the Bears settling on Andy Dalton at quarterback, the dominoes at Halas Hall will start falling at other positions throughout the roster. Unfortunately, that means we must brace ourselves for some of the best and most popular players to exit the picture sooner than expected.
Like Kyle Fuller, for example:
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
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune hints that the Bears and cornerback Kyle Fuller could be at a breaking point. And that a cap-saving cut could happen as soon as today (in case you forgot, Fuller is entering the final year of that deal he signed to remain with the Bears after the 2017 season. And with significant needs elsewhere on the roster, the Bears might be forced to make an unpopular position to cut the two-time Pro Bowler to save cap space). But I’m sure that’s not where it started.
Considering the phrasing there, I’d venture to guess that the Bears approached Fuller with a request to re-structure his deal to lower his $20 million cap hit, but were denied. Fuller has already done so once, and because he’s in the final year of his deal, probably countered with extension offer to the Bears that, yeah, would create some cap-space now, but would probably also add dollars and years to his deal they weren’t comfortable adding. And, so, here we are … contemplating a cut.
So what’s next? Well, the Bears could cut Fuller thereby creating $11 million in cap space. Or, similarly, trading Fuller for a draft pick could net the Bears the same amount ($11M), just don’t expect the pick to be all that desirable:
If traded, Kyle Fuller will still have a $9 million dead cap hit in Chicago for 2021
Given the trade market, and the fact Fuller has a $13M salary for 2021 and needs an extension, doubt Chicago can get much in a trade package – maybe a 4th
Brutal situation all around
— Brad Spielberger (@PFF_Brad) March 17, 2021
Considering the Bears’ needs, adding draft capital wouldn’t hurt (and obviously, you’d prefer a trade given the equal cap space gains in either outcome), but losing Fuller sure would stink. Stay tuned.