The Bears figure to have an improved receiving corps in 2023 given the team’s moves at the position this offseason. One returning member of the unit could face a signficant challenge to remain on the roster during training camp, however. 
Velus Jones will need to prove his worth as both a kick and punt returner during the remainder of the offseason, writes Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic (subscription required). Jones was a third-round pick last year, something which was met by some with surprise given his age (25) at the time, and raised expectations for him both on offense and special teams as a rookie. The Tennessee alum was used as a receiver, rusher and returner, but his main impact was in the latter category.
Jones totaled just 210 scrimmage yards on offense, seeing limited opportunities in a Bears offense which featured more established players ahead of him on the depth chart and which was among the league’s most run-heavy. He did find success in the kick return game, though, recording 607 yards on 22 runbacks (good for an average of 27.6 per return).
With respect to punt returns, though, veteran Dante Pettis occupied the Bears’ lead role. He returned 18 punts for 163 scoreless yards, and that special teams position is one he would likely be limited to in 2023 if he were to remain in the Windy City following roster cuts. Jones figures to have a higher overall upside and is under contract for the next three years, but Fishbain notes he will need to put together a notable training camp performance to avoid finding himself a cut candidate.
Chicago’s WR room is of course topped by D.J. Moore, part of the return the team got from the Panthers in the blockbuster trade involving this year’s No. 1 pick. Moore was a must-have for the Bears in large part due to his contract status, and his addition should boost what was the league’s least-productive passing offense in 2022. When at full health, Chicago will also have Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown and fourth-round rookie Tyler Scott available at the receiver spot.
If he remains a gadget-type player on offense, Jones will be hard-pressed to earn much in the way of playing time and touches this season. With a role mostly limited to special teams, the presence of Pettis could lead to a legitimate competition for a single returner role. As a result, Jones’ footing on the Bears’ roster may not be as secure as his age and draft stock would initially suggest heading into Year 2.
If you believe all the rumors coming out of the Chicago Media it’s Claypool who should be worried about his job. I think Poles would cut him before he cut one of his draft picks after 1 year. Claypool would be a less than 3 million dollar dead cap charge. Scott and Jones would be the deep threats and Moore and Mooney would be the possession guys. Other than the embarrassment of having trading a borderline 1st round pick to get him, There isn’t much reason to keep him. Maybe they could even flip him for a late round pick. They like St. Brown and as long as Mooney comes back healthy I don’t see a problem. It’s getting to be a deep, Well rounded room.
Poles just doubled down on the Claypool trade saying if he was offered the same trade right now he’d do it in seconds. So safe to say Claypool is part of the plans despite the rumors of his lack of caring.
For what he gave up to get him he should be I grant you. But more than talent, Poles and Eberflus are trying to build a culture. Now all I heard all off season was that Claypool was working hard and getting it done with Fields. Now all of the sudden it’s an attitude problem. So if you believe what they’ve said about culture, Attitude would matter more than talent. Like I said, I don’t think Poles would keep a guy to avoid embarrassment over having made a bad trade. I think he’d launch him.
The Bears have more than two dozen players inducted into the Hall of Fame. If they haven’t built a culture by now…they never will.
It’s the difference between a Pace-Nagy culture, To an Eberflus- Poles culture. The Pace- Nagy culture was confusion and stupidity both on the field and off. The Eberflus-Poles culture seems to know what they want and is way smarter as to how they spend. In other words trade down and acquire more draft picks as opposed to spend wildly and trade away draft picks for players who aren’t the answer.
I guess we have a different interpretation of “culture” which to me transcends a single GM or HC. The Pace and Poles regimes have different philosophies and schemes as you’ve stated but I’m not sure that is the same thing as “culture”.
I hope Claypool can block (6’4″ 240lbs) because he certainly can’t catch (57% career catch ratio).
Bears WR core is very underwhelming. Pettis? Claypool?
If Poles opt for St Brown over Claypool then Poles should be fired for that trade.. I get there is a bit of hindsight there, but lets be honest, if St Brown, who looked pedestrian at best, and cost the Bears at least one game, stays on this roster instead of a guy that is supposed to be a big target and deep threat (AND you coughed up a high 2nd round pick that could have been used to shore up/improve your DL line) then I’m not sure the Bears should overlook that. Honestly Mooney should be worried, while he has show flashes of being a decent player, he showed little last season and then was injured and is a decision from the previous regime. I see Mooney going (or St Brown or Jones) before Claypool. Im guessing all will see a LOT of reps in the preseason to see if they can engineer a trade.
Mooney has been Fields favorite target since he got here. I see no reason for him to be worried THIS year. But he will be a FA after this year and I don’t know what he wants money wise but the Bears are expected to have about 90 million bucks to spend in FA next year plus 2 1st round picks. So them getting another high end WR or even 2 would be fairly easy. You don’t fire a GM for one bad trade or Pace should of been fired for just about every trade he made. Poles has done a great job getting rid of Paces multitude of mistakes and his waste of the Salary Cap for 5 years. To even suggest he should be fired for one trade is pure folly.
I can’t believe the writer talks about Jones’ “success” in the return game without even mentioning the 2 critical fumbles he had that cost them at least one game. That’s the reason why Pettis started returning punts full time. Sheesh.
A lot of WR’s struggle adapting to the pro game from college. They are asked to do things they were never asked to do, Read defenses and block. It takes some a bit of time. His ball security was an issue on punts for sure, But after being removed from the job he came back at the end and was better. Claypool has basically struggled for 3 years now so is it that he doesn’t care? Or is not capable of learning the things I mentioned? If all they want him for is a guy who can run fast down the field, Then they have other guys who can do that. Jones drawback is he was drafted at 25, So maybe he needs to get it faster? IDK. It should be interesting.
While the game is different than in college in terms of reading defenses and blocking, catching and holding onto the ball is universal I think. Pettis is a joke, and someone must owe his dad a favor or something. Jones will stick around as its a Poles pick, same with Claypool being his decision. Mooney is neither.. However, if guys like St Brown, Pettis, and Jones all somehow look better than Claypool then the guy worried about losing his job should be Poles (but we all know the McCaskeys have to have several mediocre seasons before getting rid of their GMs).
Have to love the clickbait. Good thing I refuse to get the Athletic so I can get it here for free. Thanks
damn who’d have thought a 25 yearold rookie wouldn’t pan out
He’s on a rookie deal and has more upside than Pettis,,as long as he’s putting in the work you keep him as a 4th-5th WR and return an.