Arguments: Why Velus Jones Jr. deserves a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster

Jones had an outstanding night at Arrowhead Stadium with 111 rushing yards and a score on just 13 carries.

Not bad for a wide receiver's career.

“When you set up your roster the way we did and you move him to this new position, we wanted to see as many reps as possible at that position — defending, running routes, running the ball like he did,” head coach Matt Eberflus said after Thursday's 34-21 preseason win. “We wanted to get a good look at him. He had a really good performance today.”

The Bears are experimenting with Jones' versatility and trying to find ways to get the ball in his hands. Sometimes the easiest way is to just let him have it. He finished this preseason with 158 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, proof that this open-minded initiative is working. Jones can also return kicks, which increases his value and his chance of making the 53-man roster.

His place is not a given, especially given the large number of talented players and the strong competition at the skill positions.

“He's explosive, he's got good muscle mass, he can shoot it forward,” said Eberflus. “He's done some nice things.”

He can do some great things for the 2024 Chicago Bears if given the opportunity. We'll know by Tuesday afternoon if he gets his chance, when NFL teams have to make major cuts to their 90-man rosters.

The Bears need to go through their roster planning and prioritize unique skills. This article makes a case for why Jones belongs on the roster, but roster planning could work against him. D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are set. Travis Homer is a key special teams player and has experience working with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in Seattle. Fullback Khari Blasingame is also in the running.

Keeping six running backs seems highly unlikely unless the Bears make cuts at another position. Receiver is an obvious place to cut, as Jones can run routes and has experience on the outside and in the slot. If Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and (in my opinion) Tyler Scott are ready for the season, Jones can be the fifth man to help that group. If DeAndre Carter helps in the return game, it will be harder to find a spot for Jones.

They could stick with three tight ends to compensate for an additional player elsewhere, as understaffing the lines and secondary shouldn't be a problem.

Still, the risk is worth it considering Jones can do so much. A previous Bears regime coached Cordarrelle Patterson in hopes of a similar effect, and the results were mediocre. Patterson flourished in that role with the Falcons, racking up 1,166 offensive yards and 11 touchdowns and delivering Hall of Fame-worthy kickoff return skills in 2022.

We are not saying Jones is Patterson. Few, if any, are. The link was created to show that it is possible to benefit from a hybrid player with speed and agility.

Jones said on Aug. 14 that the transition to working as a running back – he played the position in youth and high school – has been smooth. That's important, too, because running backs have to do much more than just carry the ball. They have to recognize blitzes and protect passes, find running routes and make the right decisions to deploy the defense well.

“I worked on my vision, recognizing the gaps and the pulling power of the defenders,” Jones said. “After that, honestly, my natural talent takes over. I don't think it's that difficult. I'm not saying running back isn't a difficult thing, but our offensive linemen and receivers are so good at blocking, coupled with my God-given strength, speed and talent, it's pretty hard not to get something positive out of it.”

For a team looking for positive offensive production and reliable weapons for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, it's worth taking a shot and seeing if Jones can add more firepower to the Bears' offense.

Follow Bears Insider Scott Bair at @ScottBairNFL.