Velus Jones breakaway draws heavy criticism from Bears coach Matt Eberflus

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It’s really hard to call a player a bust after just one season, but the Bears are going to have a hard time trusting Velus Jones on offense going forward. Jones fought back after a disastrous start to the season and played a bigger role on Sunday than he had in weeks. But again he struggled to hold on to the ball and fumbled on an endgame. After the game, Matt Eberflus was candid and made no secret of his displeasure with the rookie.

Yeah, I don’t like that, said Eberflus. I do not like it. I don’t like when guys lose football. It’s not good. The guys need to do a better job of securing the ball. Again, I have to watch the tape, but when you’re in traffic, you have to have five pressure points against the ball and place your clasp hand on your top hand.

While telling the play, Jones also realized where he had gone wrong.

I’m an aggressive runner, so I’m going to fight for extra yards instead of going out of bounds, Jone said. I had one blocker there, I think it was three (defenders). I tried to separate them, but I have to put two hands on the ball. I think someone ripped it out the back. So yeah, just focus on that ball safety. The ball is everything.

Jones missed much of the summer schedule with a hamstring injury and didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 4 against the Giants. He didn’t play on offense that game and had more negative than positive impact on special teams. Jones missed a punt with just over two minutes left in the game, ending a comeback bid before it started. Two weeks later, Jones missed another punt. That one set up the game-winning touchdown for the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Jones hasn’t been seen on punts since and has been sparse on offense. His primary role was returning kickoffs, but he wasn’t a factor except for a 55-yard return against the Falcons in Week 11.

This brings us back to Jones’ opportunity to step forward in the final month of the season, and how he may have let it slip away, just as he let the ball slip away during his third-quarter fumble.

It’s behind me now, Jones said. I can’t do anything about it now. Just keep a positive attitude and get back to work.

Despite Eberflus’ pointed criticism for Jones, he made sure to say the Bears aren’t giving up on developing him and they don’t want him to give up on himself.

He has to stay encouraged, he has to keep working, he has to do things right, Eberflus said. I know he can do it and train him well to do it. Well, see where that leads.

As for Jones, he always managed to keep his eyes on his next opportunity, rather than dwelling on past mistakes. Despite all his mistakes, he never dropped his head in the locker room and faced criticism head-on. That won’t change now.

It’s something that has to be in you, just your mindset, Jones said. That’s how I was brought up.

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