Looking back, it’s clear that the Washington Commanders have been pivotal to cornerback Kendall Fuller’s career.
First, they drafted him out of Virginia Tech in the 2016 NFL Draft, giving him his shot in the NFL. Then, before the 2018 season, they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he became a Super Bowl champion two years later.
In 2020, the Commanders re-signed Fuller to a 4-year, $40 million deal, making him wealthy. Now, in 2024, there’s a possibility of a third stint with Washington after ESPN’s Seth Walder suggested a trade to bring him back from the Miami Dolphins, where Fuller signed a 2-year, $15 million contract earlier this year.
“How about a second reunion with Fuller?” Walder wrote. “The Commanders are in desperate need of cornerback help, currently ranking 31st in defensive coverage against wide receivers. With Jayden Daniels leading the offense, Washington can’t afford to waste time. They’re a legitimate playoff contender and stabilizing their secondary with Fuller would be a big step.”
For Fuller, it would also mark his first time playing for a competitive Washington team as they currently sit atop the NFC East with a 5-2 record.
Fuller’s journey from ACC star to Super Bowl hero is well documented. At Virginia Tech, he earned All-ACC honors twice before becoming a part-time starter for Washington in his first two seasons, collecting 4 interceptions in 2017 alone.
With the Chiefs, Fuller started 19 games over two seasons, becoming a hero with his game-sealing interception in Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers. Back in Washington, he matched his career-high of 4 interceptions in 2020, his first season back, which was also the last time the team made the playoffs.
Over his career, Fuller has played in 122 games with 98 starts, amassing 16 interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Commanders’ attempt to strengthen their secondary by drafting Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. with the 16th pick in 2023 has been underwhelming. While Forbes set an NCAA FBS record for pick-sixes, his slim 6-foot, 166-pound frame has made it tough for him to compete in the NFL. Despite his first career interception in a Week 7 blowout win against the Panthers, he’s struggled and might be a trade candidate if Washington brings back Fuller.
The Commanders have already moved on from other former first-rounders, trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson and releasing linebacker Jamin Davis. Forbes, too, has had a tough start to his NFL career, dealing with injuries and benchings, but with the team’s thin cornerback depth, Washington might hold onto him a little longer.
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