Report: Chicago Bears will withhold tag, let Kyle Fuller hit free agency
The Chicago Bears reportedly will not put the franchise tag on Kyle Fuller, allowing him to test free agency. But don’t panic yet, Bears fans.
With Tuesday being the final day that the teams can use the franchise tag on players, Chicago Bears fans are getting antsy for a few reasons.
On one hand, will top players like Allen Robinson will hit the open market and sign with the Bears?. And on the other, might Chicago part with a player Bears fans badly want back in cornerback Kyle Fuller?
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bears will not use the franchise tag on Fuller, which would pay him just over $15 million.
No indication has been made about whether the Bears could opt to use the transition tag—that would pay him the average of the top 10 salaries at corner—on Fuller instead as a more affordable option.
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As such, it looks like the Chicago Bears will let Fuller hit the market.
That said, both sides are apparently hoping for Fuller to return on a long-term deal. If they thought Fuller would be gone for sure, they might have tried to slap a tag on him or worked out a deal by now.
However, the Chicago Bears must think that Fuller will command something a little more within their price range on the open market. Plus, it would honestly surprise me if another team would take a shot and pay Fuller anywhere near $15 million for one good season.
With this mind, we’ll probably need to wait until March 14, as Biggs’ report suggests, to sign Fuller to a multiyear deal.
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That would give Fuller a chance to maximize his potential pay rather than shortchanging himself, taking the first deal available. Furthermore, it lets the Bears observe other free agent options at corner as well as at other positions.
If they let Fuller go, maybe they make a run at Trumaine Johnson.
So don’t worry, Chicago Bears fans. Fuller isn’t as good as gone just yet. Personally, I think odds are better than 50/50 that he re-signs with Chicago. Unlike Alshon Jeffery, he wants to play here. As such, they can make this work.