The Chicago Bears gambled with the contract of cornerback Kyle Fuller when they didn’t pick up his fifth-year option, and it appears they’re rolling the dice on another first round pick.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo, the Bears will not pick up the fifth-year option on the contract of 2015 first round pick Kevin White.
White, who has appeared in just five NFL games while dealing with a wide variety of injuries, would have made $13.9 million in 2019 if the Bears had picked up the option, but instead he will be set to become a free agent at the end of the 2018 campaign.
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White missed his entire rookie season due to injury, and has since appeared in five games, including one last season. The receiver has 193 career receiving yards and 21 catches, and has not scored an NFL touchdown.
The Bears also declined the fifth-year option on Fuller’s contract last season, and he responded by having his best season as a pro, picking off two passes and defending 22 more as he became a strong corner for the Bears.
After the season, Fuller signed an offer-sheet with the Green Bay Packers that would guarantee him $18 million on a four-year deal, and the Bears opted to match the offer sheet and retain his services.
