4 Bears Who Can’t Afford a Slow Start Week 1

3. Velus Jones Jr., WR/RB

After several disappointing years as a questionable returner and even more questionable receiver, Jones has made a semi-miraculous re-branding to a gadget running back this offseason. A promising preseason in his new role was capped off with a monstrous 13 carry, 111 yards, and 1 touchdown performance against the Chiefs.

It’s not disparaging to say that Jones was a likely cut candidate this offseason. 127 receiving yards in two seasons as a third-round receiver and enough muffed punts to take years off Bears fans’ collective lives left him in the worst of graces. It’s worth commending the clear effort put into re-tooling a clearly explosive athlete into a potential gadget weapon.

However, many preseason darlings have floundered once asked to do it again against first-teamers. Jones has a shot to push the envelope and carve out a role, even amongst the three other established options in the running back room. Though with his track record, better now than later.