5 Bears players who will be gone in 2024 and their potential replacements
By Ryan Heckman
4. Velus Jones Jr., Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Velus Jones Jr. has been a total bust of a pick, and this next offseason is the perfect time for Ryan Poles to admit failure and move on. He hasn't been valuable as a wide receiver. He hasn't been valuable as a kick returner. Jones has struggled to do the basic, textbook things he's asked to do like field a punt, or hold onto the football, for example.
Turns out, the negative angles taken by fans immediately following the pick were right on the money.
Bears fans are long tired of seeing Jones on the field. The Bears need to cut ties and find a new return specialist, which they could do so easily in the draft.
Possible Replacement: Running Back Brian Battie, Auburn Tigers
If the Bears strictly wanted to find a solid return man in the draft, they could do so later on while also bolstering their running back depth since D'Onta Foreman will be gone after this season. Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie is one of the best return men in college football this year, averaging 25.2 yards per return thus far.
The speed and shiftiness Battie brings to the table would also greatly benefit the offense, especially if the Bears brought in an offensive-minded head coach. There is no such thing as too many weapons, unless a weapon isn't really a weapon (looking at you, Velus).