Chicago Bears: NFL Insider has interesting theory on why former draft pick is getting cut

The 2020 fifth-round pick’s base salary was set to be $2.73 million in 2023. Vildor hadn’t made $1 million on his rookie contract in one season but was set to earn a nice pay raise this season.

Will the Chicago Bears cut Kindle Vildor over PPE money?

Brad Spielberger with Pro Football Focus Tweeted that Vildor’s cut could be due to what an economist would call a “perverse incentive” in the CBA. Vildor played well enough to earn the required playing time on the Bears roster to qualify for the Proven Performance Escalators provision.

The non-negotiable PPE provision was put in place to allegedly help rookies drafted on Day 2 or later earn more money on their rookie contract for good performance. There’s one caveat. The PPE isn’t guaranteed.

The Bears have drafted and signed several cornerbacks since Vildor was drafted in 2020. While Vildor might be good enough to beat out a cornerback on the bubble who will make the 53-man roster, Vildor’s overall skill level might not justify the Bears spending nearly $2 million more dollars on him than a developing cornerback who might be a little worse on the field.

The issue of the guaranteed PPE might be something players look at before voting on the next CBA.