The Chicago Bears aren't wasting any time. Right as the 2020 year began for them, changes are already in the process of being made. They fired four assistant coaches and have brought a new one in with offensive line coach Juan Castillo. Even before that though, GM Ryan Pace began the process of setting himself up for free agency this coming March. One that will be vital given the team has no 1st or 3rd round picks in the draft. It involved the contract of star cornerback Kyle Fuller.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the team added two more years to his current deal. Both of them voidable.
"The Bears added two voidable years to the contract of cornerback Kyle Fuller, creating some salary cap relief for the team this coming season.
Fuller’s original contract, which ran through the 2021 season, was renegotiated Saturday, just before the end of the regular season. The Bears tacked on what are considered two “dummy” years to the deal, meaning if Fuller is with the organization beyond the 2021 season, it will not be with the terms of the current contract."
This move helps to rearrange his bonus structure while he will still earn the same amount of money this coming year he would've otherwise. By doing it this way, the Bears secure an extra $6 million in salary cap space. This will raise his cap hit in 2021 by $1.5 million though. No doubt something Pace isn't worried about given this year involves his job being on the line.
Kyle Fuller move is likely just the start
This maneuver by the Bears is almost certainly just the beginning of their moves to find more salary cap space in the coming weeks. They have 21 pending free agents to make decisions on and undoubtedly hope to be active on the main market come spring as well. To do that they will need considerably more than $16 million. Odds are a few veterans might see their tenures with the team come to an end.
Kyle Long ($8.1 million) and Prince Amukamara ($8 million) will be major topics of discussion. Both are in their 30s and both dealt with health issues throughout much of the season. The same can be said for Taylor Gabriel ($4.5 million). There is also the lingering question mark of Leonard Floyd and his bloated 5th year option at $13.22 million. Needless to say, Pace has a lot of work to do.
