Velus Jones Jr. was already on the verge of being cut ahead of next month’s Chicago Bears training camp. However, there was hope that he could make an impact in his third season due to the new NFL kickoff rules.
Jones’ only chance of securing a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster was as a return specialist. Currently, he ranks as the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart, behind DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and Tyler Scott.
If Jones cannot secure the return specialist role, he has little value to the team. His prospects took a hit after the Bears signed return specialist DeAndre Carter to a one-year deal on Thursday.
Velus Jones Jr. may not be a candidate for the Bears’ roster.
Despite the new kickoff rule, Carter’s signing appears to be another sign that the Bears are ready to move on from the Jones experiment. Unless Jones can prove during training camp that he is the specialist the Bears need under the new rules, it’s likely that the team will choose Carter or the returning Dante Pettis for the role. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Bears signed undrafted free agent running back Ian Wheeler, who was a notable return specialist in college.
