Fit for Steelers? Chicago Bears to Cut Versatile Offensive Playmaker

The Chicago Bears plan to release wide receiver Velus Jones, the team’s third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and a versatile athlete that can play multiple positions on offense and special teams, who could be a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jones, 27, has played just one game this season and has been a healthy scratch for the rest of the Bears’ game. His release was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Jones played receiver in his college career at USC and Tennessee. As a sixth-year senior with the Volunteers in 2021, he caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns.

In pre-draft testing, Jones ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showing excellent long speed but below-average agility. He posted an overall 7.10 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score and was selected by Chicago with the No. 71 overall pick in the third round.

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones at practice on Feb. 2, 2022. — Senior Bowl
Photo by Jeff Hanson

As a rookie with the Bears, Jones landed a small role immediately. He played in 12 games and made two starts. Jones caught nine of 12 targets for 57 yards and one touchdown and also ran the ball nine times for 103 yards and a score. He also served as the Bears’ primary kickoff returner, returning 22 kicks for 607 yards and finishing third in the NFL with a 27.6 yards per return average. He also returned five punts for 35 yards.

Jones role dwindled in 2023, as he was tagged just seven times in the passing game, catching four for 20 yards, and ran the ball eight times for 51 yards. He returned 16 kicks for 435 yards at 27.2 yards per carry.

This season, he fell behind rookie Rome Odunze and free agent acquisitions Keenan Allen and DeAndre Carter in the pecking order at wide receiver. Carter has also been Chicago’s primary kickoff returner this season. Before his release, the Bears attempted to move Jones to running back.

Jones could be a good fit for a Pittsburgh Steelers team that is desperate for playmakers at the wide receiver position. The Steelers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith have plenty of experience with position-versatile offensive weapons. Cordarrelle Patterson has lined up at running back, tight end and wide receiver in addition to returning kicks for the Steelers this season and Connor Heyward has been a tight end, fullback and running back.

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This week, the Steelers are expected to be without rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson, who aggravated his hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday and missed each of the last two sessions. That will leave them with just four healthy wide receivers on their active roster. Brandon Johnson is a candidate to be called up from the practice squad for the third straight week.