Chicago Bears News: Velus Jones Jr needs to be cut

The Chicago Bears took a risk in the 2022 NFL Draft when they selected University of Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr in the third round.

The Bears had a clear need for a wide receiver but Jones did not appear to be a clear fit for the team considering his speed made him, at the time, a clear answer as a return specialist but there was concern over how his skillset would translate to the NFL from a wide receiver standpoint.

Jones flashed potential during the 2022 NFL Pre-Season of potentially being a special player as a returner on special teams but that has failed to result in success during the regular season.

Jones’ rookie season was a disaster. Jones struggled considerably with the first step of being a returner in the NFL as it was far from a certainty that the rookie would field a punt/kickoff cleanly. On the rare occasion that Jones did field the kick successfully, the concern then shifted to his ability to protect the ball. Jones had three fumbles last season.

Needless to say, after the Bears acquired D.J. Moore last March and drafted Tyler Scott in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones entered training camp facing an uphill climb in regard to making the 53-man roster.

In the Bears’ first Pre-Season game of 2023 against the Tennessee Titans last Saturday, Jones did himself no favors. Jones muffed another punt and with that gaffe, his shot at making the roster may be over.

Velus Jones Jr does not appear long for the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster.

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There is only one option remaining for Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles and that is to cut his losses and waive Jones.

Sure, Jones will likely remain with the Bears for the final two Pre-Season games but it would be unlikely that he makes the roster. Jones does not have a role in the team’s offense and with his consistent struggles at fielding kicks, he has no business on this team as they look to shift their focus from development to winning games.