The Chicago Bears need to rethink Velus Jones
By Evan Bruner
In order for the Chicago Bears to get what they need out of rookie Velus Jones Jr., they must rethink their approach.
It’s no secret the Chicago Bears’ offseason additions at wide receiver haven’t lived up to expectations; that’s why Ryan Poles was willing to trade away a second-round pick for Chase Claypool earlier this week. While many fans may argue the Bears overpaid, desperate times call for desperate measures, and through eight games, it was painfully obvious that the Bears’ wide receiver room just wasn’t cutting it.
Much of the blame for this must go on Poles, as he prioritized other positions during the offseason; however, it’s worth wondering if any of these receivers could perform better in a different role. No player begs this question more than rookie third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. Jones’ selection was a pretty polarizing one among the Bears fanbase. Many were enamored by his speed and athleticism, while others were concerned with how a 25-year-old rookie fit with the Bears’ timeline. Not only do older rookies tend to have shorter careers, but they are also less likely to show significant growth from their college to pro careers.
Velus Jones has struggled to find a defined role in the offense
Even with this skepticism, fans were eager to see Jones in the Bears’ offense. For a unit that appeared to be missing so many pieces, the expectation was for Jones to be a featured player. But nearly halfway through the season, those plans haven’t quite materialized. Jones has recorded a mere three catches for 24 yards to go with three rushes for 41 yards. He was yanked from punt return duties after multiple costly fumbles and has only returned six kickoffs for 127 yards. All in all, this meager production would be considered disappointing for any day two draft pick, let alone one who is already 25.
Chicago Bears need to embrace what Velus Jones is
Jones may be deserving of some criticism for his lackluster play, but his struggles in the Chicago offense become much easier to understand once fans realize what he is: a gadget player. The biggest mistake the Bears have made is using Jones as a conventional wide receiver when he seriously lacks wide receiver skills. He has a limited route tree, below-average hands, and poor congested catch ability. But for what Jones may lack in skill, he makes up for with his speed. His explosion and agility make him as dynamic as anyone on Chicago’s roster and makes him a big play threat.
With that said, this isn’t the type of skill set that can produce on its own. Jones is a unique player and needs to a unique role in Chicago’s offense to reach his full potential. The term gadget player often comes with a negative connotation, but we are seeing more and more of them make an impact in the NFL. Deebo Samuel and former Bear Cordarelle Patterson are just a couple examples of what gadget players can do in the right system. While no one is suggesting Jones will reach that level, these players show that being a gadget guy can be more of a plus than a minus.