After limited role with the Chiefs, Kristian Fulton’s strong finish is paramount
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Fulton logged a season-high 71 snaps late, with pass breakups and three tackles.
- Season injuries opened playing time, pushing Fulton into starting role for finale.
- Chiefs must weigh Fulton’s contract year importance amid upcoming secondary departures.
From the time he entered the NFL, Kristian Fulton was a primary guy.
When he wasn’t injured, the now-27-year-old cornerback started nearly every game over his first five seasons. And he often played 100% of his team’s defensive snaps.
Until he got to Kansas City.
With the Chiefs, Fulton has dealt with injuries seemingly since arriving here on a two-year, $20 million deal. He underwent offseason knee surgery and suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, circumstances that put him behind schedule all season.
In the Chiefs’ most recent game, a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos on Christmas, KC got an idea of what it has been missing.
Fulton delivered a pass breakup that turned into a Nick Bolton interception. He was credited with three passes defended, including a red-zone throw to Courtland Sutton, and three tackles in a season-high 71 snaps.
Asked if that was his best game of the season, Fulton said, “I mean, I feel like it’s my only game this season. But I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Playing time opened up for Fulton with season-ending injuries to Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. Fulton is set to play his second full game, the season finale, on Sunday at the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs and Fulton had high hopes for each other entering the season. He spent his first four years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans before playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Fulton recorded one interception last season, and it was a nightmarish one for the Chiefs. Playing for the Chargers, Fulton picked off a Patrick Mahomes overthrow during a Week 4 game at L.A. The bad news for KC continued on the return, when Mahomes attempted to make the tackle and his helmet banged into the knee of teammate Rashee Rice, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he wasn’t surprised by Fulton’s strong performance against Denver this past weekend.
“He played like he was healthy,” Reid said. “(Chiefs general manager) Brett (Veach) brought him in here knowing that he was a good football player, but he hadn’t been able to stay healthy. He was able to get himself in a position now where he’s feeling better football-wise and get himself out there and play. But that’s what he is capable of doing.”
With one more year remaining on his contract, Fulton could figure into the Chiefs’ plans in the secondary next season. Watson and Joshua Williams are set to hit free agency. It’s also a contract year for All-Pro McDuffie, and the Chiefs have a recent history of moving on from talented corners — L’Jarius Sneed and Charvarius Ward, for instance — before a big payday.
Fulton said he’s tried to make the most of a season in which he’ll play fewer than half of the Chiefs’ games.
“Definitely a frustrating year,” Fulton said. “But also a year to learn, to be patient. Coaches told me to stay ready for my opportunity. The work that I was putting in every week showed.
“I’m going to head into the offseason with a good feeling, to know that I belong on the field on Sundays. Now I have to finish strong (this) week.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 5:30 AM.