Chicago Bears Have Plans to Prove Doubters Wrong About Velus Jones

Despite receiving heavy criticism over the pick, the Chicago Bears have big plans for wide receiver Velus Jones.

The Chicago Bears keep saying they are all in on helping quarterback Justin Fields. However, they haven’t done a whole lot to show it. Their two biggest signings in free agency were Lucas Patrick and Byron Pringle. Neither of them has done much in their time in the NFL.

Many figured general manager Ryan Poles would make a big push for the offense and Fields through the draft. However, that never materialized. The Bears’ top two picks, and three of their first five picks, went on the defensive side of the ball.

Poles did go with a wide receiver in the third round, though. He selected Velus Jones Jr. with that 71st pick.

That selection was a surprise to many and received heavy criticism. Both fans and league experts alike scratched their heads at the pick. Jones was projected by many to be a fifth-round prospect. Picking him up in the third was considered a stretch.

Don’t get it wrong, Jones could be a valuable asset. However, it will be at a position other than receiver. He will be incredible as a special teams returner. He has electric speed. When he has the ball in his hands and uses his vision he is fascinating to watch.

The problem is that special teams won’t help Fields now. He needs dependable targets on the field. Jones isn’t that, yet. He may become that later, but that is a big maybe. He is already 25, yet doesn’t have a handle on the route tree. How much longer before he finally does?

Additionally, Jones had six seasons in college (the NCAA allowed an extra season due to COVID). In those seasons, 2021 was his best. He had 807 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. In his previous five seasons combined, he had 627 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Also that season, Jones was the only FBS player with more than 800 receiving yards, 600 kickoff return yards, and 200 punt return yards.

One thing to keep in mind is that in his college career, Jones had more returns (140) than catches (120).

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Bears have big plan for Jones

Despite the criticism they received, the Chicago Bears have a plan for Jones. Head coach Matt Eberflus said that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will make sure Jones gets the ball in every way possible.

I was talking to Luke the other day about the special attributes that [Jones] has, and he’s got a big plan for him. Let’s start out at receiver and then let’s see what he can do, moving him around to different spots and getting him the ball because he is an explosive athlete.

Since he is so good once he has the ball, the coaches want to use any way possible to put the ball in his hands. During rookie minicamp, Jones lined up at the slot, the outside, and even in the backfield.

Getsy himself loves Jones’ speed. He feels Jones is a big play waiting to happen.

I mean he can handle this league, you can see that already. Then the speed just jumped at you on the tape. When that guy gets the ball in his hands, he looks like 4.3 on the field. Not many guys can do that, and I think that is what stood out about this guy. He has a chance to score every time he touches the ball.

The Bears haven’t compared Jones to the San Francisco 49ers’ all-everything Deebo Samuel, but it appears as if they want to use Jones similarly.

The Bears let go of two similar players this offseason. They had Jakeem Grant, whom they traded for mid-season, and Tarik Cohen, who was dealing with an injury that kept him out all season. Now they hope that Jones can fill that need on offense and special teams.

Poles and company hear all the criticisms. As with everything else this offseason, Poles won’t be steered away from his plan to rebuild the Chicago Bears. He has a vision of what this team needs and will stay on that course. He envisions Jones as being instrumental in that plan.