Kristian Fulton played a key part in the LA Chargers' defensive turnaround under head coach Jim Harbaugh and former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. A flier signing at the time, Fulton played like a legitimate starting boundary corner, helping Minter execute his vision of the Chargers' defense in his first year as an NFL defensive coordinator.
Fulton played well enough to earn a two-year, $20 million contract from the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers seemingly had no interest in matching that offer despite having the funds, instead replacing him with two more fliers in Benjamin St-Juste and Donte Jackson.
Fulton failed to carry his Chargers' momentum with him in Kansas City, instead reverting to the injury-prone cornerback he was in Tennessee. Fulton played only 208 defensive snaps, the lowest since his rookie season, and paired it with a 60.5 grade on Pro Football Focus.
Things aren't going much better in 2026. Fulton missed Chiefs practice this week with what Andy Reid later called a hip flexor. The severity of the hip flexor is unknown and can range anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Either way, it's not looking good for the former Chargers CB.
Kristian Fulton continues to help the Chargers
As unfortunate as it is for him as a player, this turn in Fulton's career only helps the Chargers even further. Not only did the Bolts get a legitimate breakout cornerback in a rebounding season, but that rebound also resulted in ill-fated spending for their division rival.
The Chiefs' secondary is tattered following the Trent McDuffie trade and the question marks around Fulton only make it worse. Kansas City is hoping for big things out of rookie Mansoor Delane but there are no guarantees for a rookie cornerback, especially one who is thrust into CB1 duties without a clear CB2 behind him.
Plus, Chiefs fans and experts weren't too thrilled with the idea of taking Delane before he was actually taken in the NFL Draft. He's a top-10 pick, sure, but his talent may not match where he was taken in the draft.
Kristian Fulton's contract is also restricting the Chiefs
It's not just that Fulton is leaving a hole at CB2 for the Chiefs, it's how his contract has impacted the team beyond his immediate play. The cash-strapped Chiefs are absorbing a $13 million cap hit for Fulton in 2026. Cutting him was possible, but still would have carried an $8 million cap hit.
Kansas City couldn't really add much this offseason, going the other way by getting rid of talent instead. The offseason narrative certainly would have been different without Fulton on the books.
Btw the main reason KC couldn’t go out and sign/trade for a big name WR in free agency(AJ Brown or George Pickens) is because they gave contacts to Jaylon Moore and Kristian Fulton who have a combined cap hit of $32 million this season. Both of whom most likely will never play… https://t.co/kQrbagX09j
— #MrAccountability (@GandalfStaff) August 5, 2026
Fulton isn't the sole reason for this conundrum but he is part of a bigger issue. It's reflective of how the Chiefs have operated in recent years. These ill-fated decisions by the Chiefs' front office ended their Super Bowl window sooner than it probably should have ended, and could keep it closed longer than it should be closed.
Of course, Kansas City always has a chance with Patrick Mahomes under center, but the talent around him is probably the worst of his career. The home-run signings and draft picks that helped Mahomes and the Chiefs succeed have turned into duds like Fulton.
And for the Chargers, that's nothing short of great news.
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