5 under-the-radar Chicago Bears to keep an eye on during training camp

2. Will Velus Jones win the punt return job?

A small note from training camp has been that Dante Pettis has not practiced. Most fans are excited because Pettis did not play well last season, and he is now going to have an uphill climb to make the roster. Still, the reason that he is on the roster, and the reason he may still make it, is because of punt returns.

He won the job over Velus Jones last year and never gave it up. If he comes back, he may still be that guy. However, with him out, Velus Jones has gotten considerable work. Special teams coach Richard Hightower has noted that Jones has put an emphasis on tracing the football and catching it better out of the air this year.

If Jones can win the punt return job, Dante Pettis has no shot, and it locks him into a roster spot. If someone like Tyler Scott wins the job over Jones, they can find a kick return option and may just cut Pettis and Jones altogether. Jones has to show a bit as a receiver, but if he locks down both return spots, he guarantees a roster spot.