Looking back, it seems like Kendall Fuller’s career has been defined by his relationship with the Washington Commanders.
First, the Commanders drafted him out of Virginia Tech in 2016, launching his NFL career. Then, before the 2018 season, they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs, where two years later, he became a Super Bowl champion. In 2020, when he hit free agency, Washington brought him back with a four-year, $40 million deal, significantly boosting his financial status.
Now, in 2024, there’s potential for a third reunion. ESPN’s Seth Walder proposed a trade to bring Fuller back to Washington from the Miami Dolphins, where he signed a two-year, $15 million contract earlier this year.
“How does a second reunion with Fuller sound for Washington?” Walder wrote. “The Commanders need help at corner; they rank 31st in defensive open score against wide receivers … With (Jayden) Daniels at the helm, Washington has no time to waste. It has a chance to make a real playoff run, and having a more palatable defense would really help. Fuller would help stabilize a weak position for Washington.”
This trade would also give Fuller a chance to experience something new in Washington — playing for a strong team, as the Commanders sit at 5-2 and lead the NFC East.
Fuller Went From ACC Star to Super Bowl Hero
Kendall Fuller was a standout at Virginia Tech, earning two All-ACC selections and All-American honors before transitioning to the NFL, where he became a part-time starter for the Washington Commanders in his first two seasons. In 2017, he made an impact by recording 4 interceptions in just 6 starts.
During his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Fuller started 19 games over two seasons but is most remembered for his game-sealing interception in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers, a crucial defensive play in the franchise’s history.
Upon returning to Washington in 2020, Fuller matched his career-high with 4 interceptions in his first season back, which was also the last time the Commanders reached the playoffs. Over his career, Fuller has played in 122 games, starting 98 of them, and has totaled 16 interceptions.
Commanders Whiffed on First Round CB in ’23
The Washington Commanders made a bold move in the 2023 NFL Draft by selecting Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. with the 16th overall pick. Known for setting the NCAA FBS record with 6 career interceptions returned for touchdowns, Forbes entered the league with high expectations. However, his slender 6-foot, 166-pound frame has struggled against NFL competition.
While Forbes recorded his first interception of the season in a dominant 40-7 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, his overall performance during his first two seasons has been underwhelming. He has been one of the NFL’s lower-rated cornerbacks and is now seen as a potential trade candidate, especially if the Commanders acquire a veteran like Kendall Fuller.
The Commanders have already moved on from two former first-round picks this season—trading wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Eagles and releasing linebacker Jamin Davis.
“Forbes, the 16th pick in 2023, has had a rocky two seasons in the pros, from injuries to benchings,” ESPN’s John Keim noted on October 23. “Based on that, he could be moved. But Washington also lacks depth at this position, and Forbes has been one of its top four corners.”
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