ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Kyle Fuller has been a first-team All-Pro before.
In Denver, the Broncos are hopeful he can do it again.
Fuller put together the finest season of his pro career in 2018, as he led the league in interceptions (7) and passes defensed (21). He was one of the top players in the Bears' secondary, which was a key part of the NFL's top scoring defense.
Led by Vic Fangio, the Bears forced a league-leading 36 turnovers and helped Chicago earn a playoff berth.
So when Fuller was suddenly released Saturday after six years — and two Pro Bowl selections — with the Bears, it made sense for the former 14th-overall pick to reunite with his former defensive coordinator.
"I think really just I was familiar with Vic," said Fuller on Monday when asked why he signed a one-year deal with the Broncos. "That definitely drew me to Denver. I was excited to have a chance to work with him again."
Fangio said he's hopeful Fuller can return to that prime form after recording a career-low one interception and eight passes defensed in 2020.
"He's a guy that will tackle, will hit from the corner position," Fangio said. "We're going to do everything we can to get Kyle back to that 2018 form. I know he's excited to be here. He's a really good person, he's a good teammate — which is good always to add to your building — and we're excited to have him."
When asked whether he believed he can match his 2018 level of play, Fuller said that output will be his goal in 2021.
"I'm always trying to go out there and do my best," Fuller said. "Definitely, that's something I can shoot for— it's really just [to] go out there and do my best."
Fuller called the last several days "a crazy process," and he said he's eager to begin a "new chapter" in his football career.
In Denver, he'll be reunited with Bryce Callahan, whom he played with for four seasons in Chicago. Fuller is also familiar with Ronald Darby — who played with his brother Kendall in Washington — and safety Justin Simmons.
"I've seen a lot of these guys across the league," Fuller said. "Justin Simmons, I like the way he plays. I'll get to know some of them more. I like the way they play, looking forward to working with them."
After four years in Fangio's defense, the learning curve shouldn't be too steep for the former All-Pro player.
"I feel like that will help a lot, me being familiar with the defense," Fuller said. "I feel like I'll be stepping in and not really having to learn things. That will just keep us moving. They're great guys, great players. I think we'll do well."
