KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached a two-year, $20 million agreement with former Titans and Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, a source close to the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity as the deal had not been publicly announced.
The Chiefs entered free agency looking for a veteran cornerback to strengthen a defensive backfield that struggled after cornerback Jaylen Watson was injured last season. Fulton’s size and physicality make him well-suited for an outside role, and his flexibility could help free up Trent McDuffie, their All-Pro cornerback, and top pass coverage player.
Fulton played a key role in LSU’s national title win before being drafted by Tennessee in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Titans before joining the Chargers last season, where he recorded 51 tackles and an interception.
That interception was notably against the Chiefs when Fulton was returning the ball and Patrick Mahomes attempted to tackle him near the sideline. Mahomes’ helmet collided with the knee of Kansas City wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was also chasing the play, resulting in Rice needing season-ending knee surgery.
Fulton’s deal, made one day before the new league year begins, follows the Chiefs’ Monday agreements with offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (two years, $30 million) and running back Elijah Mitchell (one year, $3.5 million).
It has been an active offseason for the Chiefs since their Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia.
Last week, they traded All-Pro guard Thuney to the Bears for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft, freeing up salary cap space. They used some of that to sign linebacker Nick Bolton to a three-year, $45 million contract and wide receiver Marquise Brown to an $11 million deal, after Brown missed much of the previous season due to a shoulder injury.
The Chiefs also placed the franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith, which will amount to a $23.4 million deal for the upcoming season.
