52 days until Chicago Bears 2017 season kicks off: Christian Jones profile
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway. With 52 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight linebacker, Christian Jones.
2016 Review
It feels like Jones has been an on again, off again starter for the Bears forever. However, last year he saw his career low in starts at two. Jones also only played 112 defensive snaps, less than the likes of John Timu and Jonathan Anderson. He did participate in 323 special teams snaps, though.
2017 Outlook
Jones will be competing with Timu and Anderson for the last couple of spots on the roster. It will be interesting to see what the Bears value in these three as they stack up against each other. All three show versatility, but at the same time, all three will have their most value on special teams. Jones out snapping them in that department is worth keeping in the back of your head as the Bears head closer to the regular season.
Future with the Bears
Jones is an unrestricted free agent. He could very easily be cut this offseason with little baggage or concern to carry through the year. He could also be retained, spend his season on the roster and be let go after the season to find a job elsewhere. As of this moment, there is no long term future with Jones. Jones, of course, could earn himself that long term security. Knowing the system, making the team as a special teamer and excelling in practice on special teams brings more value than a lot of people will consider. This is how Jones will be able to prove he can stick around in Chicago, and he will have his chance to do so in the 2017 season.