Report: Bears releasing Kyle Fuller, give Akiem Hicks permission to seek trade

The Bears are releasing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller due to salary-cap issues, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Chicago will clear $11 million in cap space by cutting Fuller, who would've carried a $20-million cap hit in 2021, according to Over The Cap.

The Bears asked Fuller to take a significant pay cut, but the veteran corner declined, ESPN's Dianna Russini reports. The team gave him a four-year, $56-million contract in March 2018 after matching an offer sheet from the Green Bay Packers.

Fuller instantly becomes one of the top corners available in free agency. The 29-year-old earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2018 after leading the NFL with seven interceptions and made two straight Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019.

Opposing quarterbacks completed just 55.4% of their passes for a passer rating of 89.8 when targeting him last year, according to Pro Football Reference.

Fuller has notched 390 tackles, 82 pass breakups, and 19 interceptions through 96 career appearances. The 2014 first-round pick out of Virginia Tech missed the entire 2016 campaign due to a knee injury but has made 64 straight starts since.

The Denver Broncos are expected to make a strong push for Fuller once his release is official, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Chicago likely isn't done parting ways with veteran defenders, as it's given defensive lineman Akiem Hicks permission to seek a trade, sources told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Hicks, 31, is entering the final year of his contract and reportedly wants a substantial raise in a new deal if he's traded. The one-time Pro Bowler is set to make $10.4 million this season.

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