Tag: Justin Jones

Where Bears’ Justin Jones, Gervon Dexter rank among defensive tackles in Madden 24

See the ratings that Bears defensive tackles Justin Jones, Gervon Dexter and others notched in Madden 24.

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The Chicago Bears had arguably the league’s worst defensive line last season, where there’s been some overhauling specifically along the interior.

EA Sports has started releasing Madden 24 ratings, continuing with defensive tackles. Veterans Justin Jones and Andrew Billings led the way for the Bears. Jones earned a 74 rating (31st) and Bills notched a 72 rating (41st).

Jones was easily the best defensive lineman this season, and he provided consistency to Chicago’s weakest position group. Poles praised Jones as one of the most consistent playmakers along the defensive front this season, where he led the team in tackles for loss and was second in QB hits.

Billings was signed in free agency to shore up the defensive line. He’s a dominant run stuffer who should immediately upgrade what was one of the NFL’s worst run defenses last season.

Elsewhere, Chicago’s rookie defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens received their ratings. Dexter landed a 68 with Pickens earning a 67. Dexter and Pickens will serve as important rotational pieces along the defensive line, even thought they might not start immediately, as rookies.

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30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 9 Justin Jones

At No. 9 on our Most Important Bears series is Justin Jones, the clear leader in an overhauled interior defensive line group.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

At No. 9 is defensive tackle Justin Jones, who will still be counted on as a leader of the defense despite having added competition.

Bears 2023 training camp preview: Interior defensive line

Next up in our Bears training camp preview is the interior defensive line, featuring news faces like Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, so it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2023 training camp position previews, breaking down every player by position and examining the group’s biggest question.

Up next is the interior defensive line, a focus area of the Bears this offseason, signing free agent Andrew Billings and drafting rookies Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens and Travis Bell.

Like most teams, the Bears have more defensive linemen on the roster heading into training camp than they will have in Week 1 of the regular season. Most teams will aim to be two-deep at each position, meaning only four of the seven linemen on the depth chart will suit up against Green Bay on Sept. 10.

Here’s a closer look at the Bears’ interior defensive line heading into training camp:

30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 25 Zacch Pickens

At No. 25 in our Most Important Bears series is rookie DT Zacch Pickens, who helps reinforce a defensive line that struggled in 2022.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Up next is defensive tackle Zacch Pickens at No. 25, who was drafted to fix the holes on the defensive line.

Justin Jones believes Bears rookie Gervon Dexter is ‘going to be a force’ in NFL

Justin Jones praised Bears rookie Gervon Dexter, saying he has the potential to be a “leaner Linval Joseph.”

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Bears rookie defensive tackle Gervon Dexter made waves during the offseason program, where his altered stance in Chicago’s defense has helped him generate more explosion off the ball.

Dexter made an impression during veteran minicamp when he got the best of starting interior offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair on a couple of occasions, including beating Jenkins for a sack.

While Dexter still has a long way to go in his development, his teammates can see his potenital to be an impact contributor on defense. In fact, defensive tackle Justin Jones has already seen enough to believe he can be a force in the NFL.

“I think he’s got some really, really strong hands and I think he knows ball,” Jones said. “I think he knows he’s got a little bit to learn and how to use his size – you know, like every bit of it – but he’s going to be a force in this league.

“I really do believe that. I haven’t seen anything like him in a very long time, and I don’t want to put anything in a box with him, but the closest person I can see him as is like a leaner Linval Joseph. Just the fact that he’s a big, strong guy who can move. If you’ve ever seen him run in a straight line, and just like run, I’m pretty sure he’s probably beating a lot of people on our team. That’ll surprise you.”

Dexter will start the season as a rotational piece on the defensive line behind veterans Jones and Andrew Billings. Dexter has the versatility to play both three-technique and nose, where he saw work at during the offseason.

But the hope, and expectation, is Dexter will establish himself as a long-term starter along the defensive line, alongside fellow rookie defensive lineman Zacch Pickens.

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Bears TE Robert Tonyan reacts to Justin Jones’ comments about Packers fans

After DT Justin Jones slammed Packers fans, former Packer and new Bears TE Robert Tonyan shared his reaction.

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Tight end Robert Tonyan is well versed in the Bears-Packers rivalry. Not only did he grow up rooting for the Bears, but he played on the opposite side — the wrong side, if you will — with the Packers before signing with Chicago this offseason.

So after defensive tackle Justin Jones slammed Packers fans for being
“s—y,” “obnoxious” and how “half of them don’t even know football,” Tonyan was the person to go with a reaction.

Tonyan, who spent the last six years in Green Bay, told reporters Jones’ comments on the Packers were “funny.”

“JJ is a little opinionated on that and I like that,” Tonyan said. “…but you could say anything about any fanbase.”

Following Aaron Rodgers’ departure to the Jets, it’s a new-look NFC North that’s ripe for the taking.

“I love where we are at. Overlooked, underrated,” Tonyan said. “Whatever you want to call it. They still have to step on the field and beat us.”

Tonyan, who grew up in McHenry, Ill., will get to face off against his former team twice this season, including to open the 2023 season at Soldier Field.

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Bears DT Justin Jones on Justin Fields-DJ Moore connection: ‘It’s gonna be crazy’

The Bears believe the Justin Fields-DJ Moore connection has the potential to be something special.

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Bears quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver DJ Moore have been the talk of the offseason program. And for good reason.

Not only is the team hoping they develop into the NFL’s next great quarterback-receiver duo, but it’s been surprising how quickly their connection has developed since Chicago traded for Moore in March.

While it’s hard to truly evaluate anything with unpadded practices in June, it’s been clear to their teammates that this Fields-Moore connection has the potential to be something special.

“That 1 and 2 connection is going to be crazy this year,” defensive tackle Justin Jones said Tuesday. “Justin Fields and DJ Moore are going to be crazy this year. I’m telling you right now. I like what I see.”

As Jones also noted, that dynamic quarterback-receiver duo is something the Bears haven’t had in quite a while. But from early reviews, it certainly sounds like Chicago has quite the 1-2 punch on their hands.

Moore gives Fields a legitimate No. 1 receiver that he’s lacked. And when you look at how having that go-to guy has helped other young quarterbacks take the next step, there’s reason to believe this passing game can be something special.

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Bears’ Justin Jones trashed ‘obnoxious’ Packers fans in an obvious (but extremely effective!) bit of pandering

Jones couldn’t resist feeding Bears’ fans hatred.

For the better part of three decades, the Green Bay Packers have held almost complete dominion over their historic rival, the Chicago Bears. The difference in quality between the two was especially stark during the Aaron Rodgers era, where Chicago beat Green Bay a grand total of five times in Rodgers’ 15 years as a starter.

This has been less of a “rivalry” and more of an appointment date for the Bears to take a beating and requisite dip in the NFC North standings.

Judging by how Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones spouted off on Tuesday, he seems to expect the tide to change in favor of Chicago’s blue and orange. And soon. That or a non-star defender in just his second year at Halas Hall wants to deliver Bears fans their favorite red meat — a burning hatred of Packers fans.

(Warning: Some NSFW language in the clip below.)

I don’t deny that Jones probably does really hate the Packers and their fans. I’m sure he really does believe that the new-look Bears behind Justin Fields would fare better against Rodgers if he was still a member of the Packers. But I’m also certain this speech was Jones finding a (rather obvious) outlet to pander to a fanbase desperate to see the Packers and their fans where they think they belong — in the NFL’s basement.

What most convinces me is how Jones seamlessly pivots from his Rodgers disposition to a random jumble of “obnoxious” insults about Green Bay supporters. That is a man who understands how to become royalty in Chicago. Say you despise the Packers while actually wearing a Bears uniform, and you’ll never have to buy a dinner within the city limits again.

Well, as long as you actually help defeat the Packers. Given the limited sample size on that front, results may vary.

Bears DT Justin Jones takes shot at Packers fans: ‘Half of them don’t even know football’

Justin Jones just added fuel to the Bears-Packers rivalry.

Aaron Rodgers might not be in Green Bay anymore, but Bears defensive tackle Justin Jones just added some fuel to the fire for the Bears-Packers rivalry.

Jones was asked about the trajectory of the NFC North following Rodgers’ departure, where he wishes Rodgers were still with the Packers this season because he wanted to beat him in Green Bay.

Then things took a turn.

While Jones has only been with the Bears for one season, he made his feelings clear about the Packers, notably their fans, when talking about last season’s prime-time game in Week 2.

“They won, but their fans are really sh*tty,” he said. “I’m ready to take it over (the NFC North). It’s a good time to be a Bears fan, I’m not gonna lie to you.”

Jones elaborated on what exactly makes them “sh*tty.”

“They’re just friggin obnoxious,” he said. “Just yelling about things that don’t even matter. Half of them don’t even know football. It’s so weird to me.”

These comments will likely make the rounds in Green Bay, and Jones is looking forward to visiting Lambeau Field this season and hearing what’s sure to be an animated reaction.

“I want to go out there and beat the hell out of them, and hear their fans boo,” Jones said.

While the Bears are coming off a three-win season that culminated in a 10-game losing streak, there’s been a ton of optimism in the locker room this offseason. It certainly feels like the arrow is pointed up for Chicago.

As for the Bears-Packers rivalry, it’s still alive and well, with some help from Jones.

7 Bears veterans who could lose their jobs to rookies

Some Bears veterans should be on notice with incoming rookies who could challenge them for their jobs.

The Chicago Bears have overhauled their roster ahead of the 2023 NFL season, where general manager Ryan Poles has added some veterans and rookies who could have significant impacts.

When looking at the 2023 NFL draft in particular, Poles appeared to draft (or sign) rookies who should contribute immediately. In fact, some of those players could challenge established veterans for their jobs.

Training camp and preseason will present some intriguing position battles that will have big implications on the depth chart.

From Cairo Santos to Kindle Vildor to Jack Sanborn, here are some Bears veterans who should be on notice with incoming rookies challenging them for their jobs.