The Los Angeles Chargers had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL in 2023, allowing a third-worst 249.8 passing yards per game. Apart from safeties Derwin James Jr. and Alohi Gilman, and CB Asante Samuel Jr.—the secondary was not stacked with solid starters.
The team has already been busy this offseason attempting to shore up that issue for the 2024 season. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz resigned Gilman, and allowed troubled CB Michael Davis to sign elsewhere.
Now, the Chargers are adding to their secondary woes by signing a star CB from the Tennessee Titans: Kristian Fulton.
The #Chargers are making a key secondary addition, agreeing to terms on a 1-year deal with former #Titans free agent CB Kristian Fulton, sources say. A chance to go out and earn an even bigger payday next year. pic.twitter.com/yxAKvMSstx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2024
Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Ian Rapoport revealed that the Chargers have agreed to a one-year deal with the CB on X. Fulton may not have the best stats in terms of interceptions, but he has been a viable starter the last three seasons with the Titans.
Fulton was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2020 draft. He has spent the last four seasons with the team, acquiring 4 interceptions, 1 sack, and 25 passes defended. He held a career-high 15 PD in the 2021 season.
Fulton gave up a career-high passer rating of 114.1 in 2023, but only surrendered one touchdown last season. His 75.5 completion percentage from opposing QBs was also a career-high.
Despite what look to be somewhat troubling stats, Fulton is a solid starter. He has the kind of physicality and experience that Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is looking for in players.
Harbaugh also brought over Michigan’s defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to help guide the defense to new heights. Minter’s expertise in defensive prowess has everything to do with showing multiple looks and multiple ways of attacking opposing QBs.
Fulton could become a lockdown corner with the right guidance, and he has shown plenty of promise and skill in his four years in the NFL. The Chargers are likely to address their secondary in the draft, but adding Fulton is a big piece in the team’s FA acquisitions.
So far, the Chargers have addressed CB with the Futon signing, LB with Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye, TE with Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly, RB with Gus Edwards, DT with Poona Ford, QB with Easton Stick, OL with Bradley Bozeman and S with Alohi Gilman.
The Chargers did lose CB Michael Davis, WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Gerald Everett, and LBs Kenneth Murray Jr. and Amen Ogbongbemiga.
There are many positions in need of upgrades on this Chargers team, but at least they are doing their due diligence and adding potential starters across the board.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.