Ryan Poles surprised everybody when he selected Velus Jones Jr. out of Tennessee in the 3rd round. While taking a wide receiver was welcome, many felt the Chicago Bears GM might’ve reached a bit with that pick. Jones only had one good year of production in college and would be 25 years old by the end of his rookie season. It was hard to imagine him becoming any sort of viable weapon for Justin Fields in the immediate future. Those critics were correct, at least in part.
Jones had seven catches for 27 yards and seven rushes for 48 yards between October 2nd and December 18th. He added three brutal fumbles, including two that cost the Bears chances to win tight games against the Giants and Commanders. The only solace was he found a niche as the team’s kick returner, averaging a healthy 26.85 yards per return.
Things finally seemed to click over the final three weeks. Jones had three catches for 80 yards, two runs for 55 yards, and averaged 28.67 yards per kick return. It was a strong finish after an ugly rookie season. The rookie is under no illusions. He knows he has to get better. What are his off-season priorities?
He informed Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron.
“I would say just coming in this league and looking back, it’s mental,” Jones said of improving and building upon Year 1. “You got to have the physicality and the speed…and the rest of is just mental. [I] make sure I’m keeping my mental space clear. [I’m going to] really work my tail off this offseason. [I] rest my body for now, but soon, there’ll be time to get back and work. Knowing that I left no doubt this offseason, I’m working on the things that need to be worked on and be ready to rock and roll when camp comes back around.”
He clarified he’ll be working on creating separation at the top of his routes and his coordination tracking the ball. He also mentioned that he purchased a jug machine that he intends to get plenty of use out of once he gets back home.
Velus Jones is talented. Now he must work to maximize it.
Nobody can debate his ability to make things happen once the ball is in his hands. He’s got the speed to outrun defenders and surprising strength to run through tackles. The issue plaguing him is an inability to create separation in the passing game. Cornerbacks rarely have trouble staying close to him. The big challenge receivers often face is changing direction during their routes without losing speed. Too many are forced to throttle down before their break, allowing defenders just enough time to close the distance.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
This is the same problem facing Velus Jones. Working this off-season to fix the issue absolutely should be his priority. The JUGS machine is a nice touch. With it, he might be able to improve his hands when catching the ball, a problem that plagued him as a rookie. Most people are already writing him off. That feels premature. Jones has shown he can play at this level. It is a matter of finding consistency. That often happens by Year 2.
It isn’t a “nice touch” for him to acquire and use a JUGS machine, it was mandatory. He dropped at least 3 very catchable, incredibly well thrown balls from Fields. BTW, our entire WRs (minus Mooney who already has a machine) whether they’re playing in Chicago or not next year, each need to get 1.
Jones will be ok. Players mature and improve at different rates. It has been my experience that often they will have periods of doubt and nerves and their game slumps. Pros that last learn focus and eventually believe in themselves.
V Jones will definitely be back in 2023 and he may surprise by the time game 1 rolls around. Most forget that he already has ties to J Fields and there in itself lies the most important part to the equation. In the last month of the season, he finally seemed to find his comfort zone and provided us with the explosive WR fans assumed he could be. If he continues his upward protectory throughout the off season and into camp, he will become a force to be game planned for by DCs. Claypool and Mooney working the outside with… Read more »
I’m going to root for him. Yes he’s been frustrating but only because he’s so good when the ball does get in his hands. Many of you may not remember a guy named Rashaan Salaam. He was an RB for the Bears. OMG he was so damn good. I loved that kid. The problem was he just couldn’t hold onto the damn ball. He’d break for a 20 or 30 yard run but then fumble the ball away at the end. He couldn’t fix that issue and was cut soon after. I wished back then that they gave him more… Read more »
crossing my fingers he continues to build on the success he started having at the end of the year