CB Situation in 2018

[Hematite]

No need to take an apparent strength of this team and turn it into a weakness. The cap room is there to sign them both, so you do it. FA time is for getting a stud WR if available and filling other needs (OLB perhaps). One more good draft, and who knows, this team may do something!

[Mikefive]

It's tempting to say both, but that's going to cost a LOT of bread. I agree that we need to be talking to both. The interesting thing is that both are similar. Both pretty stout run defenders. Both pretty good coverage guys. Neither good at picking the ball off. But maybe that's a negative?

In any case, we can't afford to lose 2 quality starting CBs. So this is a really important issue heading into the offseason. I know CBs are CBs, but for any FA questions we'll need to consult with our new DC, too.

[donkeykong]

I'll also go out on a limb and say that Fuller is having a great year in part due to having Amukamara on the other side.

I completely agree with this. I started really paying attention to this about a month ago. It seems like we see Fuller so much on tv...because the other side is LOCKED down. I don’t know how true that is, but I feel like I see Prince once or twice a Sunday and every other pass thrown is to Fullers side.

[G08]

They've been playing well... I thought Amukamara had a layup INT yesterday afternoon that he flat-out dropped, it ties into his lack of generating INTs IMO.

Fuller worries me... his best season is the one before he hits FA? Always makes me nervous... that being said, I'd throw $$$ at Fuller, see if Amukamara wants to come back on a fair deal.

[malk]

It's tempting to say both, but that's going to cost a LOT of bread. I agree that we need to be talking to both. The interesting thing is that both are similar. Both pretty stout run defenders. Both pretty good coverage guys. Neither good at picking the ball off. But maybe that's a negative?

In any case, we can't afford to lose 2 quality starting CBs. So this is a really important issue heading into the offseason. I know CBs are CBs, but for any FA questions we'll need to consult with our new DC, too.

You think? Amukamara has had a pretty good year but hasn't been lights out. Coming off a one year $7m deal is there any reason to think he'll cost significantly more this time?

Similarly for Fuller, he had a promising rookie year, disappointing 2nd year, didn't play his 3rd and only has one interception this year. That doesn't scream huge contract to me?

I know corners are expensive but his body of work, at least on the box score, looks more like Marcus Cooper's than, say, Logan Ryan's. Then again Dre Kirkpatrick got $52.5m so what do I know!

Hopefully there isn't a bidding war and he doesn't just want to leave after last season but if not, would he go higher than $10m per? For Amukamara, would he take $35 over 5?

[Mr.Irrelevant]

I think you have to try to bring them both back, without breaking the bank for either one. They are good but not great corners who lend the stability we've needed for a long time. Neither one are ball hawks, but with an improved pass rush they both can get the job done.

That said, neither is worth the franchise tag. And if a great ball-hawking, shut down corner becomes available in free agency then we should try to sign him as well.

[Mikefive]

It's tempting to say both, but that's going to cost a LOT of bread. I agree that we need to be talking to both. The interesting thing is that both are similar. Both pretty stout run defenders. Both pretty good coverage guys. Neither good at picking the ball off. But maybe that's a negative?

In any case, we can't afford to lose 2 quality starting CBs. So this is a really important issue heading into the offseason. I know CBs are CBs, but for any FA questions we'll need to consult with our new DC, too.

You think? Amukamara has had a pretty good year but hasn't been lights out. Coming off a one year $7m deal is there any reason to think he'll cost significantly more this time?

Similarly for Fuller, he had a promising rookie year, disappointing 2nd year, didn't play his 3rd and only has one interception this year. That doesn't scream huge contract to me?

I know corners are expensive but his body of work, at least on the box score, looks more like Marcus Cooper's than, say, Logan Ryan's. Then again Dre Kirkpatrick got $52.5m so what do I know!

Hopefully there isn't a bidding war and he doesn't just want to leave after last season but if not, would he go higher than $10m per? For Amukamara, would he take $35 over 5?

One thing that I think gets missed is that Fuller was getting picked on a lot more than Amukamara. That tells me that Amukamara was pretty darned solid in his coverage, since Fuller wasn't bad. I bet the price tag for both of those guys now that the cap is up to $180M will be $10M/year each. I hope I'm wrong and we can get them both for $15M the next few years and I'd be happy with that.

[Richie]

Dude, I know he's going to be expensive now...

But if Kyle Fuller gets away from us, I will be LIVID.

He's been a SAVAGE out there.

[DaSuperfan]

If we don't franchise Fuller, who's to say he even wants to come back to the Bears? It feels like an Alshon Jeffery-ish type of situation.

However, if I'm Pace, I'd do whatever I can to keep both because they've been complementing each other really well this season.

[Funkster]

Yes, bring them both back and Callahan. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I really like the Bears secondary, Prince, Fuller, Amos, Jackson, Callahan and LaBlanc. I feel with adding one more solid pass rusher, these guys will be legit come next season.

[Atkins&Rebel]

It completely depends on the new coach and his defensive scheme. I think Amukamara was only OK in Fewel's scheme in NY for instance, and was much better in Jax and here in Chicago. Fuller should get an incentive laden contract and let him continue to stay hungry for the team and his own sake.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I think you definitely try to bring them both back. Fuller is quietly playing as well as any corner in the NFL and Amukamara has said that he's tired of hopping teams.

I'll also go out on a limb and say that Fuller is having a great year in part due to having Amukamara on the other side.

All the more reason to bring them both back.

[wab]

Yes, bring them both back and Callahan. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I really like the Bears secondary, Prince, Fuller, Amos, Jackson, Callahan and LaBlanc. I feel with adding one more solid pass rusher, these guys will be legit come next season.

Eh. Callahan is hit and miss for me. He’s not a great tackler and he struggles to stay healthy. If I have to keep LeBlanc or Callahan, I keep LeBlanc. And I draft a Nickel somewhere in the first 100 picks.

[ysleblanc]

Yes, bring them both back and Callahan. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I really like the Bears secondary, Prince, Fuller, Amos, Jackson, Callahan and LaBlanc. I feel with adding one more solid pass rusher, these guys will be legit come next season.

I can agree with that, but the cost has to make sense. At worse I think they have to keep at least one.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

[G08]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

We can get rid of Cooper for $1 million in dead money.

[malk]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

We can get rid of Cooper for $1 million in dead money.

Cooper has to be gone. Callahan I'd bring back only if he's cheap, serviceable but flatters to deceive. I'd hope we can get Fuller for around $50m over 5 and Amukamara for $35m over 5.

It'll be like when we signed Peanut and Vasher in the same off-season, hopefully one of them doesn't get injured immediately afterwards.

[bearsfaninaz]

I'm hoping we could sign one of them this year and use to some of our current cap space. Though I'll be honest idk where we are sitting at right now.

[BR0D1E86]

I'm hoping we could sign one of them this year and use to some of our current cap space. Though I'll be honest idk where we are sitting at right now.

We’re at about 40 m in space, but by cutting players we all universally agree are dead weight we can pretty easily get to about 70 I think.

[The Marshall Plan]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

We can get rid of Cooper for $1 million in dead money.

Cooper shouldn't have been on this roster after the Steelers game let alone have lasted an entire season.

[Richie]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

We can get rid of Cooper for $1 million in dead money.

Cooper shouldn't have been on this roster after the Steelers game let alone have lasted an entire season.

Eh... Cooper was a key performer in that victory. He cost us 4 points, but he also was huge in shutting down AB.

[Adipost]

As much as we'd probably all like to forget it, the Bears have Cooper on the books at the moment earning $5m+. I'd happily cut him and put a big chunk of the cap space he would otherwise take up ($4.5m next year and $5m in 2019 after dead money is deducted) towards re-signing Amukamara, Fuller and Callahan.

For reference, cap hits this year:
Amukamara $7m
Fuller $3.082m
Callahan £0.615m

We can get rid of Cooper for $1 million in dead money.

Cooper shouldn't have been on this roster after the Steelers game let alone have lasted an entire season.

Eh... Cooper was a key performer in that victory. He cost us 4 points, but he also was huge in shutting down AB.

https://gfycat.com/SillyRealisticIchidna

[wab]

Cooper not playing isn't because he sucks. He isn't playing because Fuller is having a terrific season.

[BR0D1E86]

Cooper not playing isn't because he sucks. He isn't playing because Fuller is having a terrific season.

It can be both.

[Moriarty]

Cooper not playing isn't because he sucks. He isn't playing because Fuller is having a terrific season.

I'm not sure.
If that's the reason, why isn't Cooper getting more reps in 5/10?

I'm feeling like he got doghoused after the fumble incident.

[wab]

FWIW, Lemming expects the Bears to keep Amukamara over Fuller and draft his replacement. Per the Twitter.

Citing it as a similar situation to Jeffery last year. I think it would be a mistake to let Fuller go...but who knows.

[malk]

I think Fuller might want to bolt right now but a new head coach could change that.

[G08]

Is it just me or does something seem 'off' about Fuller? It's hard for me to place my finger on it but he's either extremely shy/reserved/awkward around the media or there is something wrong with that dude.