When people talk about an NFL roster between July and August, it’s almost always centered around who will be cut. Teams will eventually have to go from 90 players to 53 before the regular season. That means they must conduct rigorous evaluations in training camp and the preseason to determine who will be among the 37 names that have to go. Yet it’s always important to remember that cuts aren’t the only way players are unloaded this time of year. It can also be a fruitful time for bargain trades. The Chicago Bears would know.
Last season alone, there were 17 such trades during that timeframe. Teams often package a player and a 7th round pick to secure a higher pick in the following draft. Sometimes they swap a player they don’t want for one they do want. The Bears famously did this in 2012 when they sent fullback Tyler Clutts to Houston for backup cornerback Sherrick McManis. GM Ryan Poles may have such a move in mind depending on what happens in camp. If one player may fit the criteria, keep an eye on Kindle Vildor.
The Chicago Bears don’t need Vildor anymore.
The former 5th round pick never quite developed as much as they’d hoped. Still, he had his best all-around season in 2022, notching an interception and five pass breakups in 11 games. The 110.1 passer rating quarterbacks had when targeting him was also considerably lower than the previous two years. He also does have special teams experience. The truth is his time in Chicago began winding down when the team drafted Tyrique Stevenson and Terrell Smith. Together with the surprise play of undrafted rookies Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones last year, it feels like Vildor is no longer necessary, even for depth.
That said, he’s still only 25 and boasts starting experience. Teams will view him as cheap depth with enough upside to justify an extended look. Such players aren’t difficult to trade. All it takes is finding the right team. We already know the Atlanta Falcons love collecting former Bears. Ryan Pace was just promoted to director of player personnel down there. He was the one who drafted Vildor a few years ago. That would be an easy phone call to make. Much will depend on how things shake out in training camp.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
