Cornerback Kristian Fulton is playing excellent football for the Los Angeles Chargers through two weeks of training camp. According to team reporter Eric Smith, Fulton picked off passes from backup quarterbacks Easton Stick and Max Duggan in practice yesterday. The two interceptions bring his total to four the past three practices.
Fulton, a former 2020 second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, has struggled to reach his potential through his first four years in the NFL. The past two years saw him intercept just one pass and allow 1,013 yards and eight touchdowns, leading to the Titans letting him walk in free agency.
Fulton was very open about his play on the field being hindered by the coaching and scheme of his former team:
I think I'm kind of still ascending, honestly. Like I said, I don't think, personally just looking back, that I was put in the best position, but that's just where I was drafted. I didn't have a say in that. I feel like I finally got an opportunity where I'm put in a position where I think it's the best opportunity for me and the coaches see that. They're going to put me in position to make plays. That's mainly what I'm here for. There was a lot going on, as far as my past team. Really, it's just all parts seem to be better here.
Poor coaching and scheme is largely why the Chargers opted to fire Brandon Staley and bring in Jim Harbaugh this past offseason. Jesse Minter, the team's new defensive coordinator, is right behind Fulton in supporting his career resurgence.
Chargers DC Jesse Minter on CB Kristian Fulton, who had multiple PBU’s today:
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) July 31, 2024
“He’s practicing like what we thought he could be. … He’s got a boulder on his shoulder. He really wants to prove it to people.” pic.twitter.com/wgrTRAvtKl
With multiple interceptions and many more passes broken up in camp so far, Fulton is certainly proving people wrong so far. The one-year, $2.885 million contract he signed this offseason is looking like one of the steals of free agency. Anything above average starting play would be a huge win for the Chargers and set Fulton up nicely for a payday in 2025.
