Tag: Velus Jones Jr.

8 Bears players on the roster bubble heading into training camp

These Bears players will need a strong camp to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster.

Chicago Bears training camp is drawing closer each day and it’s only a matter of time before players report to Halas Hall and begin practicing. While fans are eager to see players such as Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jaquan Brisker, training camp will be vital for those near the bottom of the depth chart looking to make the initial 53-man roster.

From former first-round picks to undrafted free agents, everyone will need to do their part to earn a roster spot when practices get underway. Here are eight players on the roster bubble heading into camp that will be worth watching.

1 Bears player on the roster bubble at each position group

From veterans to rookies, here’s a look at one player on the roster bubble at each position group ahead of Bears training camp.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp later this month, where they’ve compiled their 90-man roster ahead of the summer.

Chicago will have to narrow its roster from 90 players down to 53 following the preseason, and there are some players on the hot seat who will need to step it up or risk losing their chance at locking down a roster spot.

Whether it’s a veteran looking to keep his roster spot or a rookie looking to carve out a role, here’s a look at one player on the roster bubble at each position group ahead of Bears training camp:

Bears WR Velus Jones needs to prove himself as punt returner

If Bears WR Velus Jones is going to carve out a role for himself in 2023, it starts on special teams.

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Bears second-year wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. has a lot to prove when training camp kicks off in late July.

Jones had a rough rookie season, where he struggled with muffed punts, which cost the team a couple of games. At one point, Jones was even benched for two games after a costly fumble against the Commanders in Week 6.

But Jones rebounded in the final three games, where he returned nine kickoffs for 258 yards, averaging 28.7 yards per return. It was the kind of performance that showed it’s far too soon to give up on Jones.

During the offseason program, Jones has worked with the punt return unit, along with Tyler Scott and Dante Pettis. If Jones is going to carve out a role for himself in 2023, it starts on special teams.

“Yeah, just the experience. Him knowing what to do and how to do it. He’s more consistent that way,” Eberflus said during minicamp. “And his work ethic has always been good. He’s continued to do that. And he’s been working on catching the punts, which is really good. Gonna be a big part for us if he can work that and be consistent going through camp and show he can do that on a full-time basis. So we’re excited about where that is.”

Given the Bears have an influx of talent at receiver, including new additions DJ Moore and Scott, Jones needs to prove he can be a dependable asset on special teams. If he does that, he should have one of those final roster spots locked down and prove to be a potentially dangerous asset as a return specialist.

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Winners and losers following the Bears 2023 offseason

As we await the arrival of training camp, here are some of our winners and losers following the Bears offseason.

It’s been an eventful offseason for the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles. Armed with the most available cap space of any team in the league, coupled with holding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears had plenty of resources at their disposal and made the most of the opportunities to improve the team. In just his second offseason as general manager, Poles took plenty of swings and now has the Bears effectively set as they prepare for training camp.

The offseason isn’t quite over just yet and a surprise move or two could still be on the way, but the majority of the work has been completed. As we await the arrival of training camp, here are the winners and losers of the Bears offseason.

10 takeaways from final week of Bears’ 2023 OTAs

The Bears conducted their ninth practice of OTAs on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from the final week:

The Chicago Bears kicked off their final week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall.

Chicago conducted their ninth voluntary OTA practice on Wednesday, which was the third open session to media. So there was plenty to glimpse from the final week, be it through practice or interviews.

There were plenty of storylines that came out of Wednesday’s practice, including the returns of Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and Nate Davis, as well as the continued connection between Justin Fields and DJ Moore and the defense making a big play.

Following the Bears’ ninth practice of OTAs, here’s what we learned:

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.

Worst Bears draft pick from each year since 2000

We look back at the worst Bears draft pick from each year since the turn of the century.

The 2023 NFL draft will be here before we know it and it’s once again another golden opportunity for the Chicago Bears to improve their team with young talent. The Bears hold four selections in the top 64 picks, including the No. 9 overall pick, giving them a shot to select premier players across multiple positions.

As is the case every year, the NFL draft is an inexact science and not every pick is going to pan out. The Bears have certainly had their fair share of misses over the years.

We already looked at the best player from each draft, now it’s time to review the worst player from each Bears draft class since 2000.

5 Bears players who need to step up in 2023

If these five players can step it up in 2023, the Bears will be a better football team.

If the Chicago Bears are going to make a jump in 2023, they’re going to need their key players to step up from last season. There are multiple players on the roster in key situations where 2023 is a make-or-break season.

The most obvious is the quarterback position. With the help Justin Fields is getting this offseason, he will be expected to step it up in 2023. Outside of him – who else is there?

Here are five Bears players who need to step up in 2023:

How former Vols performed as rookies in 2022 NFL season

A look at how former Vols performed as rookies in the 2022 NFL season.

The 2022 NFL season concluded Sunday with Super Bowl LVII.

Kansas City defeated Philadelphia, 38-35, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Former Vol Trey Smith won the Super Bowl championship as an offensive lineman with the Chiefs.

Five former Vols were selected in the 2022 NFL draft and completed their rookie seasons.

The five selections were the most for Tennessee since the 2017 NFL draft.

Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, Vols Wire looks at how former Tennessee players performed in their rookie NFL campaign.

Rookie statistics for Matthew Butler, Theo Jackson, Velus Jones Jr., Cade Mays and Alontae Taylor are listed below.

Bears 2022 rookie review: WR Velus Jones Jr.

Bears third-round pick Velus Jones Jr. had his share of struggles in his rookie season, but he ended the year on a high note.

The Chicago Bears saw significant contributions from rookies on offense, defense and special teams during the 2022 season, whether it was from draft picks or undrafted free agents.

Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. was the first offensive player selected by GM Ryan Poles. There were some who questioned the pick, wondering why Chicago was reaching for Jones in the third round. Jones had a rough rookie season, but he needed the year on a high note.

Let’s take a look back at Jones’ rookie season and see what we can expect for the future.