Kyle Fuller proved to the Chicago Bears in 2017 that he can more than handle his own in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme. After missing the entire 2016 season due to a knee injury, Fuller looked the part of the first-round pick he was back in 2014 this past season. Now he is set to hit the open market in free agency and CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora says he will not be returning to the organization.

In a piece for CBS Sports, La Canfora wrote, "Re-signing corner Kyle Fuller should be a priority but he's going to find a lucrative market ahead and will not be returning to Chicago, according to a source with knowledge of the situation."

La Canfora does not specify whether that is because Chicago does not want him back or because Fuller does not want back in Chicago. The Bears of course have the option to use the franchise tag on him this offseason if a deal cannot be reached between the two parties.

The 14th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Fuller put together a solid rookie campaign but regressed a bit in 2015 in a new defensive scheme under Fangio. Last season he missed the entire year with a knee injury. Because of that injury the Bears decided not to pick up his fifth-year option during the offseason, leaving him to play out the final year of his deal in 2017.

Fuller entered the 2017 offseason as the odd-man out at the cornerback position after the team spent money on veterans Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper in free agency. Injuries opened up an opportunity for Fuller to get into the starting lineup and he has not looked back. In 16 starts in 2017 he recorded 69 tackles, 22 pass deflections and two interceptions.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fuller played a team-high 1,017 snaps at cornerback this season. He was targeted 119 times, allowing just 61 catches with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks recorded just a 69.0 rating when throwing in his direction in 2017.

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Fuller turned 26 on Friday and losing him would place a huge hole in Chicago's secondary with Amukamara also set to become a free agent.