Some fans, and even the media who cover the Chicago Bears every day were surprised that Velus Jones was inactive against the Miami Dolphins. However, if you read Bear Goggles On, you saw this coming a few days ago.
Earlier in the week, we wrote about the Chicago Bears’ decision to make Velus Jones inactive, and why it was more likely than some fans were willing to assume. So, why did it happen?
Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Velus Jones was going to be the sixth wide receiver, and the sixth wide receiver just is not worth being active. When you break down the depth chart, it is not really surprising he got bumped to six. Chase Claypool will obviously be active, but he was just being eased into the lineup after arriving late Tuesday.
So, it left the Chicago Bears starting three wide Equainemous St. Brown, Darnell Mooney, and Dante Pettis. There is a huge difference between N’Keal Harry and Velus Jones as well. Harry is the best blocker on the team, and the Bears line up in-line at times to get a wide out on the field, but have him in a tight end role.
He is far more valuable, and since his return from the IR, he has been out snapping Velus Jones. It was pretty obvious that Jones was the sixth wide receiver.
Chicago Bears need on special teams
So, as a sixth wide receiver, his only real role is special teams. He already lost his punt return job and does not play anything but kick returns. There, he is a kick returner, but in today’s NFL, he is best off just letting the ball go, or taking a knee.
Maybe, once per game, the team would like him to create a spark as a kick return option.
When you realize that the sixth wide receiver would have to bump another position to inactive, it gets tougher because the other spots have more special team value. AJ Klein replaces Jack Sanborn on teams because he is starting. Elijah Hicks has a key role, as does Ryan Griffin.
Beyond that, they cannot lose a third tight end or a running back in the name of a sixth wide receiver. It is just asking to be shorthanded due to injury.
Does this mean that Velus Jones will never start again this season? No. However, he has to find a role on special teams, or prove that he is one of the top wide receivers. If he is not one of the top wide receivers, and he does not have real special teams value, then he should not be active. This seems pretty simple for the Chicago Bears.