In the final episode of “Hard Knocks,” the Chicago Bears revealed another team made a low bid in an attempt to trade for Velus Jones Jr., one they rejected as the initial 53-man roster was being assembled.
Two months later, Jones is out as the Bears cut the wide receiver-turned-running back and return man. The team also terminated the contract of fullback Khari Blasingame.
In the scene in which the team discussed Jones’ status on the HBO show, coach Matt Eberflus talked about the returner being a “potential game changer.”
“I would never go below a four,” general manager Ryan Poles said of a trade possibility. “The value doesn’t make sense on paper.”
Perhaps the Bears wish they had taken the offer of less than a fourth-round pick for Jones at the time as he quickly played himself out of the mix when he muffed the first kickoff return of the season and then inadvertently kicked the ball, leading to a turnover. He was inactive in the next five games.
The Bears cleared two roster spots that were filled Saturday with defensive end Jacob Martin and running back Travis Homer. Martin and Homer were on injured reserve but returned the practice field and were added to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Field.
It looked as if Jones, 27, was facing an uphill battle to make the roster when training camp opened. The Bears fortified the wide receiver position by trading for Keenan Allen, drafting Rome Odunze and signing DeAndre Carter, a proven punt returner, in free agency. Two weeks in, the team converted Jones to running back, but the biggest news he generated in training camp was the tale of his pet ferret, Crash, when he was playing at USC.
Jones got two carries and caught one pass against the Titans, but with the Bears unable to get substantial playing time for running back Khalil Herbert and wide receiver Tyler Scott, he was buried on the depth chart, and ball-security issues on special teams sealed his fate.
The problem was Jones’ immense physical talent — he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds at the 2022 scouting combine and has a sturdy frame at 6-foot, 200 pounds — wasn’t enough to overcome inconsistencies as a player. The Bears were not the only team intrigued with Jones coming out of Tennessee. At least two other special teams coordinators around the league considered him the best returner in that draft class.
Jones found a solid role as a kickoff returner last season. He averaged 27.4 yards per return, and there was thought the reimagined kickoff would make him a more dangerous weapon capable of flipping the field and scoring.
But the miscue in the season opener was an unfortunate reminder of how unreliable he had been as a punt returner. Jones had two killer muffs as a rookie in 2022 that directly led to losses to the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. He had a third fumble that season — on offense — against the Philadelphia Eagles and dropped a touchdown pass in 2023 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Unable to contribute on special teams and too far down the depth chart on offense as a gadget player on a team with a wealth of options at the skill positions, the Bears couldn’t justify keeping Jones any longer.
It could be a situation in which a fresh start elsewhere is the best thing that could happen for Jones. The Bears believed in his ability but they’re at a stage now, locked in a tight NFC North battle, at which they can’t afford costly miscues.
In terms of Blasingame, his playing time dwindled since the offense began incorporating backup center Doug Kramer as a fullback in short-yardage situations. If anything, Blasgingame’s exit means Kramer’s spot should be secure when offensive linemen Larry Borom, who practiced this week, and Ryan Bates are ready to rejoin the roster.
