Velus Jones’ agent told him that at least one team called the Bears and offered a third-day draft pick for him before cuts last week.
He’s glad the team said no.
“I’m still happy I’m a Chicago Bear,” he said before practice Wednesday at Halas Hall. “I don’t want to leave this place. This place is special. [General manager] Ryan [Poles] and the staff, they believe in me. I’m pretty excited [about] this year. So it’s a blessing to still be here.”
A month ago, it wasn’t clear that he would be. The Bears moved the 2022 third-round pick from wide receiver to running back as a last resort. Jones, though, impressed with his attitude and running acumen. That, combined with his ability to play on kicking downs, earned him a 53-man roster spot.
On the “Hard Knocks” episode that aired Tuesday night, Poles implied that he wouldn’t accept anything less than a fourth-round pick for him.
“The last two years, I didn’t have the results I wanted,” Jones said. “That’s in the past now. People can talk about that all they want, but that doesn’t matter anymore.”
Tasteful
Holding final cut on “Hard Knocks,” the Bears were conscious of how the documentary would portray their cutting of players. Undrafted rookie offensive tackle Theo Benedet was pleased with how his meeting — in which he was cut and told the Bears planned to put him on the practice squad — was shown.
“The way Poles and [coach Matt Eberflus] handled it was great,” Benedet said.
J-e-t-s
What is rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze most looking forward to about his NFL debut? The two EA-18G Growlers that will fly over Soldier Field.
“In college, you’re always in the locker room for the national anthem and the flyover,” he said. “I’m a big fan of fighter jets. I’ll finally get to see that.”
This and that
What could’ve been a low moment in long snapper Scott Daly’s career “turned out even better than I could have possibly imagined,” he said. The Lions cut Daly, who played 42 games for them, last month. The Bears picked up the Downers Grove South alum to replace Patrick Scales, who had back surgery.
“Chicago called — a team I grew up watching at a very young age with my dad,” he said. “Watching greats like Pat Mannelly, Robbie Gould, Brian Urlacher.”
• Guard Teven Jenkins, who’s in the last year of his contract, said his agent hasn’t communicated with the front office in a while. The Bears have said they won’t negotiate with him until the bye week, if then. Jenkins would love to get a new deal out of the way, but he knows he could make himself some money, too.
“The value is whatever somebody’s willing to pay,” he said.
The start of last season was alarming, and everyone pointed at Eberflus as his team plunged to 0-4 and spent the rest of the season chasing .500. He can’t let that happen again.
The Bears’ rookie quarterback isn’t expecting anything to be easy when he makes his NFL debut Sunday against the Titans. But with his rare skills, mental toughness and the ability to learn, he’s confident he can overcome adversity — and be special when he needs to be.