The Cincinnati Bengals don't appear to be finished with free agency, but they did miss out on a target.
Per ESPN's Turron Davenport, the Bengals were one of a few teams to offer a contract to cornerback Kristian Fulton, but Fulton ended up signing with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fulton, a second-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans from 2020, would've been an ideal boundary cornerback to fit behind Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II. He may've even been able to push Turner for his starting gig.
More than anything, Fulton's history with two of the Bengals' biggest stars made him a likely signing in the first place.
Bayou Bengals From the Past
Fulton is one of many current NFL players who played on the 2019 LSU National Championship team. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase each made their way from Baton Rouge to Cincinnati in due time, and Fulton would've been yet another addition from that historic squad.
Fulton also has a personal history with Chase. They grew up as childhood friends in Louisiana and were first teammates at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, LA.
"He’s the reason I went to my high school," Chase told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com last year. "We’ve been battling since ninth grade when I was playing receiver.
"He’s the reason I’m really good, too. He’s fast. He’s got an all-around game. If I can get him uncomfortable then I can win.”
Chase battling his long-time friend in practice again would've been ideal, and clearly, Cincinnati agreed. But Fulton is off to Los Angeles with a greater chance of actually getting on the field for game days. The Chargers would've likely had Deane Leonard, a seventh-round pick from two years ago, starting opposite of Asante Samuel Jr. if they were to play today.
Fulton is passing up on being teammates with Chase once more for a good reason, and the Bengals should now pivot to other veteran cornerback options.
More must-reads: