The LA Chargers lost defensive tackle Poona Ford and wideout Joshua Palmer on the first day of free agency. One day later, the Chargers lost another free agent, who joined the team the Bolts are trying to dethrone.
Free-agent cornerback Kristian Fulton is signing a two-year, $20 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Fulton, who signed as a one-year flier with the Chargers after a bad stint in Tennessee, gets $15 million guaranteed as part of the deal.
This is the second time in three years an impactful member of the Chargers' defense signed with the Chiefs after a breakout season. Two years ago it was linebacker Drue Tranquill, who has become an important member of Kansas City's defense. Fulton looks to follow his footsteps.
Kristian Fulton leaving Chargers for Chiefs is painful, but was expected
Chargers fans expected Fulton to leave this offseason, especially after the team signed former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson on Monday. That, however, does not change the fact that it is painful to see Fulton join the dark side.
Fulton had a breakout first half of the season for the Bolts where it looked like Jesse Minter unlocked something the Titans never could in the former high draft pick. However, as the season went along, his play started to slip with more lapses in coverage than good moments.
As great as Fulton looked at the start of the season, the way he ended the 2024 campaign made it fairly obvious the Chargers would let him walk. He played well enough to raise his price in free agency but not well enough to convince the Chargers to spend $20 million to keep him around.
That being said, the potential is obviously there and Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best defensive minds in the league. Fulton's struggles very well may continue to Kansas City, but he may also become a thorn in the side for the Chargers.
Fulton joins a secondary with one of the best young cornerbacks in the league, Trent McDuffie. That will naturally take pressure off Fulton, who really could end up being one of the best mid-tier free-agent signings this offseason.
The Chargers obviously hope that doesn't happen as that would be a bad thing for the team's quest to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West.