The Chicago Bears are using the transition tag on cornerback Kyle Fuller, which means they’re likely to match any incoming FA offer.
The Chicago Bears had a serious choice to make on free agent-to-be Kyle Fuller. Since they decided not to exercise the fifth year option for their former first round pick, Fuller had the chance to hit the free agent market next week—that is, if the Bears decided not to tag him. While the Bears did not use the franchise tag, they did apply a tag that gives them control over whether or not they ultimately lose Fuller.
Fuller is a coveted cornerback who enjoyed a very strong contract year last year for the Bears after missing the entirety of the 2016 season due to a knee injury and subsequent recovery. This year, Fuller had 22 passes defended for the Bears and grew into the sort of lockdown role on the outside that the Bears pictured when they invested such a high pick.
Given Fuller’s performance this year, the Bears decided to apply the transition tag, a designation that gives the Bears the opportunity to match any contract offer that Fuller agrees to. That right of refusal gives the Bears the upper hand and will likely keep any teams from even entering into negotiations for Fuller knowing it could be time wasted on the free agent market while other options are being snatched up by competing teams.
The Bears have plenty of money to keep Fuller and now seem motivated to retain their original investment. Given the fact that Fuller reportedly wanted to stay in Chicago, it’s likely a long-term marriage can work itself out.
That’s bad news for Chiefs fans who wanted to see their favorite team bring in Kyle Fuller to play alongside his younger brother, Kendall Fuller, who was a primary part of the prize when they traded Alex Smith to Washington in January. If the Fullers can’t be united in K.C., it’s likely the Chiefs move on to another investment on the free agent market.