Kindle Vildor earns respect in Chicago Bears debut
The Chicago Bears rookie made a big tackle and got praised for it
Kindle Vildor was thrown into action last week with an injury to Jaylon Johnson. With Buster Skrine still out with a concussion and Johnson missing a start against the Minnesota Vikings, it was clear that Vildor was going to get his first chance to play starter snaps for the Chicago Bears.
Vildor finished the game with 30 snaps, and according to PFF allowed four receptions for 31 yards. As any rookie would, he had some fixable moments on tape, but overall held his own when called upon.
Early into the game, on a third and 16, he made a play that may have saved the first down. Dalvin Cook took a draw to the left side and sprinted into free space. However, as you can see below, Vildor steps in and makes a huge tackle at the last second to stop the play.
What is also fun to see is the reaction from Dalvin Cook. You can tell he is praising Vildor for the shoestring tackle, and later the two dap each other up before heading into the sideline.
Cook is a rival, but all fans know this is an elite NFL running back. He thought he had a first down and was genuinely impressed by the tackle. Even if you hate Cook on the field, you have to appreciate that he gave respect to the young rookie when it was due.
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You also have to be pleased that a veteran such as Cook was so impressed by the tackle of Vildor. This is not some statement about what Vildor for the rest of his career, but he overall held his own and his physicality may have been the greatest strength to take away from the game.
Getting Vildor those reps is going to be valuable in the long run, and him performing well in them should give them Bears a complete cornerback room with depth. If he gets more playing time, we may get a peak into more of his ceiling.