Two years after being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for Alex Smith, Kendall Fuller is returning to where his NFL career began, the Washington Redskins. Fuller and the Redskins have agreed on a four-year, roughly $40 million deal according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Fuller’s agreement to sign capped off an eventful first day of legal tampering for the Redskins.
In a day in which they missed out on other cornerback targets, Byron Jones (Miami Dolphins) and James Bradberry (New York Giants), the Redskins settled on a constellation prize many fans would have rather had in Fuller. And he comes at a much cheaper price.
Fuller gives the Redskins versatility in the secondary. He can play both in the slot or on the outside. Not to mention he can play free safety. He was that versatile in his days at Virginia Tech. The local kid is sure to be thrilled to return home and to the team he grew up cheering.
Fuller was solid but not quite the same in Kansas City
in Washington, Fuller splashed on the scene as a rookie in 2016 and by 2017 he had established himself as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league. However, the Redskins needed a sure fit at quarterback following the Kirk Cousins saga. They turned Cousins loose after three years in captive by trading for Smith, sending Fuller to Kansas City as part of the deal.
In the two seasons in Kansas City, Fuller never quite duplicated the success he had in Washington. He was thrust into the No. 1 cornerback role for the Chiefs in 2018. His play was affected playing mostly on the outside and drawing opponent’s top wide receivers.
As the Chiefs adjusted his role the following season, ultimately a thumb injury limited his play in 2019. He missed five games midway through the season, but his return down the stretch sparked Kansas City’s defense on a run that helped them win the Super Bowl in February.
Fuller filled in as the slot corner and free safety and his versatility helped ease the Chiefs’ loss of rookie safety standout Juan Thornhill in Week 17.
Fuller’s ability to man the slot and nickel safety showed in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers. He caught the game-sealing interception and helped limit All-Pro tight end George Kittle to four catches for 36 yards.
Redskins was on short end of Alex Smith trade
Meanwhile, Washington got the short end of the trade. Smith suffered a gruesome and career-threatening leg injury in his first season with the Redskins. Since, the Redskins have played musical chairs at quarterback.
Five different quarterbacks have started over the course of 22 games since Smith’s injury. That includes Dwayne Haskins, who the team drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Smith hasn’t returned to the field, missing all of the 2019 season. And it’s unclear if he ever will following serious complications stemming from his injury that included an infection and him having to wear an external fixiator for eight months.
While he has vowed at an attempt at a comeback, the Redskins have been left with a huge hole at quarterback. One that they hope will be filled with the development of Haskins, who struggled mightily as a rookie.
Redskins never found cemented replacement for Fuller at CB
Additionally, the Redskins have struggled to find a cemented replacement for Fuller at cornerback. Especially in the slot. Fabian Moreau has proven to be better on the outside than inside. Jimmy Moreland, a seventh-round pick in 2019, has shown flashes, but his development still has a ways to go. Then there are the other failed projects such as Danny Johnson and Greg Stroman.
Josh Norman declined in Fuller’s absence, ultimately getting him relegated to a special teams player towards the end of his tenure last season. Norman was released in February and has since signed on with Buffalo.
Quinton Dunbar has been the cornerback that has produced close to Fuller’s level in 2017. Dunbar leaped to the Redskins’ top cover corner, garnering an impressive 87.6 grade and high praise from Pro Football Focus.
However, Dunbar is seeking a new contract as he enters the final year of a three-year deal he signed in 2018. He recently reportedly requested a trade or release after the Redskins’ new regime balked at his new contract demand.
Durability issues may be hampering Dunbar’s efforts of a new contract. A nerve ailment in his shin forced him to miss nine games in 2018. Last season he missed five games largely due to a hamstring injury.
Fuller always wanted to come back home
Fuller was a standout defensive back in high school at Good Counsel in nearby Olney, Maryland. From there the All-Met star translated into a stellar collegiate career at Virginia Tech. He was on course to be a sure first-round pick before he suffered a torn ACL his junior season.
Fuller slipped to the third round as a result in the 2016 draft with Washington selecting him 84th overall. Right from the onset he proved to be a steal for Washington. And by his second season his name was mentioned as one of the best slot receivers in the NFL.
That’s what was so surprising about the Redskins’ choice to trading him to the Chiefs for an aging quarterback like Smith. Many questioned the deal long before Smith’s devastating leg injury.
Fuller may have not grown into a household name like many projected he would have been had he stayed in Washington, but his value was apparent during the Chiefs’ run to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years.
Now Fuller gets to return to the team that drafted him and he cheered for during his childhood. He gets to come home in more ways than one. And his wanting to return to the Redskins makes the deal more appeasing.
Where Fuller plays is the only question. Is here to replace Norman on the outside? Secure the slot position Washington has failed to replace since trading him? Or better yet man free safety?
Nonetheless, the Redskins may have found a huge piece to solve their secondary puzzle whichever position(s) first-year head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio places him.
