Kendall Fuller: Redskins weren’t trying to ‘kick me out the door’

After finding out about his trade to the Kansas City Chiefs, cornerback Kendall Fuller said the message from the Redskins’ management and coaches was clear: “All of them were upset I had to go.”

On Jan. 31, the Redskins agreed to ship Fuller and a third-round pick for quarterback Alex Smith. Fuller, a promising young corner, was a heavy cost, but the Chiefs insisted on his inclusion. The trade can’t be official until March 14.

Appearing on a podcast, Fuller told ESPN’s Adam Schefter he met with the Redskins the next day to discuss the trade.

“It wasn’t like, ’Oh, the Redskins, they were looking to get rid of me,’” Fuller said. “They just saw this as the guy they needed to bring in. The Chiefs were bringing it to them like, ’If you want this guy, you have to give up Kendall Fuller.’ … It wasn’t like they were trying to kick me out the door. It was a little emotional.”

Fuller also touched upon the chaos of learning about the trade. Initially, Fuller took to Twitter to tell Redskins fans he wasn’t being traded after ESPN reported he was part of the deal.

Then, Fuller got a call from his agent.

“I was like, ’Shoot, let me get off of Twitter for a little bit then,’ ” he said.

With his move to Kansas City, Fuller said he’ll be living outside the DMV area for the first time in his life. The 23-year-old went to high school in Maryland and then to college at Virginia Tech. The Redskins selected him in the third round of the 2015 draft.

The trade also meant saying goodbye to Redskins defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, who coached him at Tech. He said Gray wished him the best and they even discussed the Redskins’ future plans. “That was definitely a little bit weird,” he said.

Fuller’ teammates were outspoken when he was traded. D.J. Swearinger tweeted “oh this had to be a joke with K Fuller, right??” while Josh Norman posted a lengthy goodbye.

Last season, Fuller was a stand-out in the slot as Washington’s nickel corner. He bonded extremely well with the group and appeared to be one of the Redskins’ best young players.

With the Chiefs, Fuller is expected to be the starting cornerback opposite of star Marcus Peters. Like Norman, Peters has the reputation for being an elite corner.

Fuller closely studied Norman’s work habits, and said he’s eager to do the same with Peters.

“Seeing [Peters’] productivity over the last two or three years, how many plays he makes on the ball, so I’m just excited to see his mindset, film study and learn whatever I can and go in there and compete,” Fuller said.

Under coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. In adding Fuller and trading Smith, the Chiefs are trying to add youth to their team. The Smith trade allows Kansas City to start 2017 first-rounder Pat Mahomes at quarterback, too.

Still, the Chiefs have talent on both sides of the ball. Fuller said he’s excited to “work with these boys and compete and help us win a championship.”

Fuller said living in Kansas City by himself, with no friends, girlfriend or family accompanying him will be different.

“I’m 23, single,” Fuller said, “so I’m just going out there to focus on ball.”