Bears Trade Rumors: All Quiet in Chicago, Packers Linked To WR Will Fuller (Updated)
The Bears haven’t been mentioned in trade rumors as the 4pm deadline draws nigh, at least not when it comes to the industry’s major pundits, but maybe something sneaks through as they need serious help on the O-line. The Packers, on the other hand, may be looking to add another very big offensive weapon to pair with Davante Adams. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Green Bay is one of several teams interested in Houston wide receiver Will Fuller.
From @GMFB: With the trade deadline looming, players to watch include #Texans WR Will Fuller, #Browns TE David Njoku and Washington Football Team QB Dwayne Haskins. pic.twitter.com/J04rW5tQ0i
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2020
The Packers have reportedly been interested in Fuller since the summer and the Texans could be prompted to move him if they don’t believe they can re-sign him once his contract expires at the end of the season. A former first-round pick out of Notre Dame, the speedy Fuller has the big-play ability to take the top off of a defense when healthy. He’s earning just over $10 million in the fifth year of his rookie contract and is surely looking to parlay a big season into a bigger payday.
The big knock on him is that he only played in 42 games over his first four seasons, though he’s at full health this season and already has 31 receptions for 490 yards (career-high 15.8 yards/catch) and five touchdowns. That is not someone the Bears need to see lining up in green and gold for the second half of the season.
The Texans may be out of it at 1-6, but they aren’t just going to let Fuller go for free, especially after their last deal involving a star receiver. DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Cardinals after last season when Houston coach/GM Bill O’Brien made the much-maligned choice to flip the receiver and a fourth-round pick for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick. After flubbing the subsequent draft and getting off to a slow start, O’Brien was finally fired.
All of this is to say that Houston will be looking to build up draft capital, which could be a small bright spot for the rest of the NFC North if the Packers wind up with Fuller. While it’d obviously be bad this season, Fuller’s likely departure in free agency and a depletion of their draft picks might hamper the Packers in future seasons. Hey, I’m trying to be positive.
Update: The latest out of Green Bay via ESPN’s Dianna Russini is that a deal may not be close because there’s a disagreement among Packers brass about the cost to acquire Fuller. Rapoport reports that the Texans are asking for a second-round pick, which is pretty steep for half a season.
https://twitter.com/will_fuller7/status/1323705371127619586?s=21
Update #2: There will be no trade as the Packers refused to meet the Texans’ asking price.
Will Fuller won’t be traded. The #Texans and #Packers couldn’t agree on value.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2020
