Bears sign cornerback Desmond Trufant: report

The process of replacing Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller has begun.

The Bears are signing former Detroit cornerback Desmond Trufant on a one-year deal, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Trufant, 30, is a former first-round draft pick (22nd overall to Atlanta in 2013) and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015. He played seven season in Atlanta before signing with Detroit in 2020.

A hamstring injury limited Trufant to only six games in 2020. In 2019, his final season with the Falcons, he played in only nine games, although he recorded a career-high four interceptions.

News broke Thursday that the Bears intend to release All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller. The move saves the Bears nearly $11 million in salary cap space in 2021, but it leaves them desperately thin at cornerback.

[ Bears release cornerback Kyle Fuller, per report ]

Jaylon Johnson is the only proven starter on the roster at cornerback, and he missed several games in December due to a shoulder injury. Cornerbacks Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley are promising young pros, but the Bears haven’t relied as heavily upon them. Vildor and Shelley have a combined three career starts.

Adding Trufant gives the Bears a veteran at the position. The key will be keeping him healthy. During five of his first six seasons in Atlanta, Trufant started at least 15 games.

Trufant signed a two-year contract with the Lions prior to the 2020 season. Detroit cut him earlier this month after just one season. He battled with rookie Jeff Okudah and second-year pro Amani Oruwariye for playing time. Trufant dealt with the nagging hamstring injury for much of the season before being placed on injured reserve in December.

Trufant isn’t a perfect replacement for Fuller, but few cornerbacks would be. Releasing Fuller was the most surprising move the Bears have made thus far this offseason. But the team is dealing with tight cap space, and cuts needed to happen somewhere.

Catch up on the latest in Bears free agency here.