CHICAGO -- The Bears announced nine cuts on Sunday, including former Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson, who the team signed to a one-year deal in late June.
Wilson received a strong endorsement from Bears general manager Phil Emery when the team opened up training camp last month, but the 14-year NFL veteran failed to do enough to impress the coaching staff to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, despite the fact the Bears have experienced uncertainty at the safety position throughout the entire offseason.
Wilson spent the majority of the preseason working on the second team.
The 6-foot-3 Wilson appeared in 181 games (162 starts) for the Arizona Cardinals between 2001-12, recording 978 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 27 interceptions, 106 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and nine fumble recovers.
Wilson left Arizona following 2012 and joined the New England Patriots last offseason, but the four-time Pro Bowl selection ultimately landed on injured reserve with a foot injury before the start of the regular season.
The Bears also terminated the contracts of vested veterans defensive tackle Nate Collins and guard/center Dylan Gandy. The team waived running back Michael Ford, wide receiver Greg Herd, wide receiver Kofi Hughes, offensive tackle Joe Long, cornerback Derricus Purdy and cornerback Peyton Thompson.
Chicago's roster now stands at 81 active players. NFL teams are required to trim their rosters to 75 by Tuesday afternoon.