The Chicago Bears have maintained a steady belief that Velus Jones can be a difference-maker for their team. They love his mixture of size, strength, and speed. It’s why he was such an effective kick returner last year. However, he continues to make life difficult for himself with mistakes in other areas. The preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans saw him muff his third punt since joining the team last year. It was the latest example of the receiver having unreliable hands in important moments. Many have already wondered if he can survive on a suddenly competitive roster.
While the odds of getting cut this year remain long, his future with the organization beyond 2023 is questionable. Something needs to happen to convince the coaching staff he’s progressing. Thankfully he didn’t wait too long. The Bears reached their most crucial stretch of the preseason, conducting joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts this week. The first came on Wednesday evening. It was a spirited affair with tons of energy and intensity. It was also the moment Jones decided to have his best practice of the summer as he delivered not one but two big plays.
Velus Jones still controls his own destiny.
All the age jokes aside, he remains a highly athletic young player. He proved he could make plays last year, even if they weren’t numerous. The trick was learning the more subtle details of his position. It takes more than speed to win deep. Release, hand technique, and footwork are paramount. Signs keep growing that he’s figured some of these truths out. He’s getting open deep more often. Even the preseason game against the Titans showed some progress as a route-runner.
One can understand people being fed up with Velus Jones. His rookie season was mostly a disappointment outside of his kick return moments. Patience is hard to come by these days. In the minds of many fans, either you can play right away or you can’t play at all. That’s not how football works. It takes some players more time to master the art. Jones could be one of them. Credit must go to Matt Eberflus and his staff for continuing to stay patient with him. Maybe this is a sign things are trending in the right direction.
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