Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller to become a free agent per report

Has Kyle Fuller played his last game for the Chicago Bears?  One NFL insider thinks he has.  So where do the Bears go from here?

Twitter was buzzing yesterday with news that Kyle Fuller is likely on his way out of Chicago.  NFL insider Jason La Canfora tweeted that Fuller is likely headed for a big payday in free agency and will not be returning to the Chicago Bears.  As Fuller was celebrating his 26th birthday, Bears fans were left wondering what the Chicago Bears will do now.  Below we take a look at the team’s options, including some potential replacements if Fuller leaves.

Sign Fuller to a long-term deal

This option might seem outrageous considering the news above, but it is not that far-fetched.  While some Bears fans were in panic mode yesterday, a few Bears insiders were having some fun with La Canfora’s mediocre track record on predictions.  Greg Gabriel, former director of college scouting for the Bears, even went so far as to suggest that La Canfora’s prediction was actually good news for the team.

La Canfora did not conjure up this rumor on his own though.  Rather it was likely provided by a source.  The question is, how close to the team is this source?  Remember, Ryan Pace did not tell John Fox he was drafting Mitch Trubisky until minutes before it happened.  So one has to wonder how reliable this leaked information is.  In addition, the fact that those closest to the team have not heard the same rumors raises further doubt.

Franchise Tag

If the Chicago Bears are unable to come to terms with Fuller on a long-term deal, they can always slap the franchise tag on him.  Keep in mind, we do not know whether the Bears even intend on signing Fuller to a long-term deal.  Applying the franchise tag might have been their plan the entire time.  Keep in mind that while Fuller played remarkably well in 2017, he has been rather unremarkable since being drafted in 2014.  Placing the franchise tag on Fuller would likely cost the Bears approximately $15 million.  However, it would give them another year to evaluate whether his performance in 2017 was a fluke or the beginning of a trend.

Free Agency

If Kyle Fuller does test the free agent market, the Bears’ secondary will be dealt a significant blow.  It would also mean they would have to strike a deal to bring Prince Amukamara back for another year.  As well as the defense played last year, the last thing the Bears want is to replace both cornerbacks.  Assuming they do re-sign Amukamara, who are the options to replace Fuller?

Trumaine Johnson

The Los Angeles Rams technically have the option of placing a franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson.  However, they have done so in each of the last two years, making it unlikely they would do it a third time.  It is also possible the Rams sign him to a long-term deal.  However, if they do not, Johnson immediately becomes the best free agent cornerback on the market.

Although he is not considered an elite player at his position, he is largely regarded as a top 15-20 cornerback in the league.  However, with it being a weak free agent cornerback class, the Bears might be forced to overpay for Johnson.  If that is the case, the Bears will likely pursue other options.

Malcolm Butler

Fresh off a bizarre ending to the 2017 season in which he was mysteriously benched in the Super Bowl, Malcolm Butler could be available to the Bears at a discount.  Since bursting on the scene in Super Bowl XLIX when he intercepted Russell Wilson at the goal line, Butler has been an extremely solid defender for the New England Patriots.

The 28-year-old Butler had a decent 2017 season.  He finished with 70 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles,  and 1 sack.  While it was considered a down year for Butler, he was a mainstay in the Patriots defense, rarely coming off the field.  However, in 2016 he had 4 INTs, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.

The uncertainty surrounding his Super Bowl benching certainly will have an impact on his free agent value.  The only question is how much impact.  It is quite possible (although pure speculation) that something had been brewing between Butler and the Patriots all year, that came to a head at the Super Bowl.  This could also explain why he saw a dip in his performance in 2017.  However, if the Bears could land him in the $7-10 million dollars per year range, and he returned to his 2016 form, it would be a home run signing.  If not, the Chicago Bears are likely to explore other options.

Vontae Davis

One final option for the Bears in free agency is Vontae Davis.  Davis, the nine-year veteran, was just medically cleared to return to football after groin surgery which forced him to miss most of the 2017 season.  Since being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, Davis has not enjoyed the same level of success he previously had with the Miami Dolphins.  However, he has been fairly consistent and, for the most part, pretty productive.  Davis now enters free agency after being let go by the Colts following his injury.

Although he is not currently scheduled to visit the Chicago Bears, if the news about Fuller is true, you can expect Davis to take a trip to Halas Hall.  Considering he is coming off an injury, it makes sense for the Bears to sign him on a one-year prove it deal.  While not the most desirable option, if Fuller leaves the Bears in a bind, it might be necessary to stop the bleeding.

Bottom line is Bears fans should not get too worried just yet.  The likelihood that they do not at least place the franchise tag on Fuller seems pretty low.  However, if the worst case scenario comes to pass, at least the Bears have a few decent options.