The Chicago Bears waived running back Kahlil Bell on Thursday -- the day before their third preseason game against the New York Giants -- and it turns out the move had to do with Bell's refusal to take a pay cut for the 2012 season, rather than any performance issue. Bell had been scheduled to make $1.26 million in base salary during the upcoming season, but according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune the team approached the former UCLA running back about reducing his salary to $700,000 and Bell then asked to be released:
"There's no sense in taking a paycut," Bell said from the airport. "I had a great experience here in Chicago. I definitely wanted to remain a Bear. Hopefully, ill get an opportunity to play somewhere."
The third-string running back competition on the Bears has been reduced to a contest between Lorenzo Booker and Armando Allen.
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