The Chicago Bears have received a lot of attention for the work they have done upgrading the talent of their offense. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is entering a great situation.
Normally, quarterbacks selected that high are stepping into the lineup for a rebuilding team and the supporting cast is shaky. That isn’t the case for the Bears, who are loaded with playmakers.
At wide receiver, the team has acquired D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen in trades in consecutive offseasons. With the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they selected wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington.
This year in free agency, running back D’Andre Swift was signed as was tight end Gerald Everett, who will be pairing with Cole Kmet at the position.
Lost in the shuffle of all of those additions was 2022 third-round pick, Velus Jones. The Tennessee product has been unable to carve out a role for himself to this point, as the passing offense was anemic.
In 26 games, he caught 11 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown. But, he also received 17 carries for 154 yards and a score, which meant more than anyone realized at the time.
Jones was used as a running back this offseason and produced at a high level. In the preseason, he handled 25 carries, gaining 158 yards with two touchdowns.
That is a big reason why Matt Holder of Bleacher Report has named the former Volunteer an early breakout candidate for the 2024 season.
“It’s been exciting to see [Velus] with the ball in his hands because he’s a dynamic player, we all know that,” running backs coach Richard Hightower said via Larry Mayer of the team’s website. “With the ball in his hands, he is dangerous. I’m happy that the kid is embracing that role and carrying our Bears essentials and values like we would like him to do.”
Jones’s career looks to be on a similar path to another Tennessee product; Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson was selected in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings as a wide receiver but has carved out a lengthy NFL career after becoming a running back in a hybrid role.
The Chicago Bears playmaker could certainly be heading toward a similar path. The coaches have liked what they have seen, as he is working hard learning a new position.
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