An odd transaction quirk we’ve seen at the start of the new league year has to do with teams leaking through reporters that they are planning to release a player, only to see said team pivot and trade that player for draft capital.
So let’s keep that in mind after seeing reports surface suggesting that Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks are on their way out the door. More specifically, we should keep tabs on Fuller’s situation, as there’s already one known suitor who could seek an opportunity to jump the market:
The #Broncos are expected to make a strong push for CB Kyle Fuller once his release is official, sources say. Vic Fangio coached him with the #Bears, while George Paton had a close look at him annually while with the #Vikings.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 19, 2021
Either way, a source close to Kyle Fuller just told me, "He's done in Chicago." #Broncos immediately become a team to watch with Vic Fangio. And the #Bears don't want to see Fuller end up in Green Bay so a trade, even for almost nothing, would be the preference. https://t.co/s6d3Whm4st
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 19, 2021
Old friend Vic Fangio could do his former employer a solid, should he choose to nudge the Broncos into trading for Fuller between now and when the league makes Fuller’s cut officially official.
Denver would have to take on Fuller’s salary to do so. However, they might be willing to make such a move in order to keep others teams from swooping in to sign Fuller. There isn’t a team in the league that couldn’t use Fuller. So, through that lens, I can imagine a scenario in which the Broncos offer a late-round pick to ensure they’re the team that lands Fuller.
Should that scenario play out, don’t expect the Bears to pull in a draft haul. The Seahawks sent a 2021 fifth-round pick to the Raiders for guard Gabe Jackson. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are sending a third-round pick to the Raiders for center Rodney Hudson. That’s the kind of return the Bears could be looking to net in a trade for Fuller and/or Hicks.
Creating cap space would be an added benefit. But if Chicago is steering toward a rebuild, draft capital would be a big win.