Chicago Bears News: Desmond Trufant replaces Kyle Fuller on defense

The Chicago Bears prepared themselves on Friday for life without all-pro cornerback Kyle Fuller as the team agreed to a one-year deal with veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant.

It was reported on Thursday night that the Bears were preparing to release Fuller as a result of his $21 million cap hit for the 2021 season. The Bears had originally approached Fuller with a contract extension that would have seen his base salary cut in half and it is understandable why the two-time pro bowl cornerback turned that deal down.

While the Bears have not officially released Fuller yet, word is that the team is attempting a last-minute trade of the cornerback to prevent him from signing with division rival, the Green Bay Packers. One thing is clear, Fuller is not returning to the Bears in 2021.

With Fuller not in the picture for the Bears’ secondary in 2021, it was clear that the team had a significant hole at the cornerback position. While Jaylon Johnson showed flashes of being a shutdown cornerback during his rookie campaign, it is important to remember that he has been dealing with consistent shoulder injuries since his college days. Beyond Johnson, the Bears cornerback depth was bleak at best considering the release of Buster Skrine.

More from Chicago Bears

• Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
• Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
• Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
• Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
• Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations

The Bears’ signing of Trufant provides the Bears with much needed depth at the cornerback position. Not only that but Trufant now will become the cornerback to replace Fuller in the Bears’ defense.

While Trufant has proven to be a dependable cornerback during his time with the Atlanta Falcons, since joining the Detroit Lions, the issue of health has surrounded him the past two seasons. Between the past two seasons, Trufant has only played 15 games with a majority of those games being in the 2019 season. It is worth noting that Trufant compiled 4 interceptions with the Lions during the 2019 season while opposing quarterbacks had a 65.8 completion percentage when throwing his way.

Trufant is no Kyle Fuller. That much is clear. But what Trufant does provide the Bears with is much needed depth. Without the signing of Trufant, it would have been pretty evident that the Bears would target the cornerback position in the early rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. With Trufant now in the fold, the Bears can afford to address more pressing needs in the early rounds of the draft such as at the quarterback position or right tackle position.

Trufant may not be Fuller, but considering the position that Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace has put the team in, the former Lions’ cornerback was a much needed signing.