Velus Jones has not lived up to expectations with Chicago, and he may now be out of the organization altogether. The third-year receiver was placed on waivers Friday, per a team announcement. 
Jones will be available on the wire to any team interested in adding him as a depth option on offense and/or as a returner. Given his sparse production, though, it would come as little surprise if the former third-rounder were to go unclaimed. In that event, he would be eligible to remain with the Bears on a practice squad contract or join a new team in free agency.
Expectations were high for the 27-year-old upon entering the NFL, but he has not managed to carve out a major role to date. Jones logged a snap share of just 22% on offense during his rookie year, although he did serve as Chicago’s primary kick returner and averaged 27.6 yards per return. The USC and Tennessee product found himself on the roster bubble last summer, but he survived cutdowns; once again, though, he was a non-factor on offense.
This past offseason saw the arrival of Keenan Allen via trade and the addition of Rome Odunze in the first round of the draft, adding further competition for Jones on the WR depth chart. The latter took reps at running back in a renewed bid to keep his roster spot during the summer, and he did indeed make the team to start the year. Jones has not played since Week 1, though, a game in which he received two carries and made one catch.
Free agent pickup D’Andre Swift has enjoyed a productive run over the past three games, and Chicago also has Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer and (at least for now) Khalil Herbert as backfield depth. The presence of those options has led to today’s move, which comes with Jones still having another full season on his rookie contract. Presuming he clears waivers, it will be interesting to see if a market emerges.
The Bears also let go of fullback Khari Blasingame on Friday. The veteran was among Chicago’s initial roster cuts before the start of the season, but he was re-signed shortly thereafter. He will not hit the waiver wire, but of course like Jones he represents a candidate to be retained on the Bears’ taxi squad. Chicago has several players set to be activated from IR, so a move or two on that front could be coming soon with two roster spots having been opened.
Steelers written all over it. Cheap, not good, and saves a draft pick.
It would be surprising if Velus is claimed off waivers. His bad handles on returns basically rule him out as a returner. Could get a chance as a RB on a practice squad, likely with the Bears.
A goofy pick from the jump. He was 151 on Arif Hasan’s consensus big board. Don’t draft 25 year old gadget players in the top 75 picks. Obviously.
When will teams learn that these types of gadget receivers don’t translate often and when they do it’s after a couple years of development
I might even say don’t draft them at all. If I’m taking a 25 year old in the draft, they better have at least one important elite football trait. Jones, unfortunately, has zero.
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Well it smells better around Halas Hall anyway.
Just 4 fumbles on 31 touches so he could be a future MVP in the UFL 🙂
Smells like a junkyard pickup for the chiefs or bills. They love low cost dump off WRs
It’s hardly surprising that a 25 year old rookie who was mostly a gadget receiver and didn’t breakout until his 5th year in school didn’t pan out. There’s a reason every draft expert gave this a horrible grade at the time