Chicago Bears officially sign third-round pick Velus Jones

The Chicago Bears have officially signed former Tennessee receiver Velus Jones to a four-year contract, the team announced Tuesday. The expected signing came after the Bears selected him No. 71 overall in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Jones played six seasons of college football, including the past two with the Volunteers after he began his career at USC. Last year, the versatile wide receiver and kick returner helped lay a foundation for first-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, finishing with a career-high 62 catches for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. In addition, he was named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 yards with one touchdown on 23 kickoff returns and 15.1 yards on 18 punt returns.

Jones enters the 2022 season as one of 11 rookies selected by the Bears in the draft, as well as being the only receiver. He is set to join a passing attack led by second-year quarterback Justin Fields, as well as a receiving room that features an up-and-comer in Darnell Mooney.

Most importantly to the Bears, Jones brings an innate ability in the return game with him to the NFL. Even when the former Tennessee star was finding receiving opportunities tough to come by, the special teams game allowed him a chance to shine. Over five seasons of college football, he returned 142 kickoffs and punts combined, accumulating 3,245 total return yards and two touchdowns.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay was especially high on Jones, naming him the Bears’ best draft selection.

“I love Jones’ upside,” McShay wrote. “He’s a tad under 6-foot and is still refining his route running, but look at his speed and contact balance. He is a threat any time the ball is in his hands, with instincts and elusiveness in the open field and the breakaway speed to take the top off the defense. Jones’ 4.31 in the 40 ranked fourth among all participants at the combine and second among receivers, and he’s built like a running back. Chicago can get the ball in his hands on quick slants and let him pick up extra yards. They can target him on deep shots. They can get him involved on sweeps. And they can use him in the return game.”

There are now only two unsigned Chicago draft picks remaining in cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker.