The Chicago Bears will play their final preseason game of 2022 on Saturday night when they travel to Cleveland to play the Browns. On Tuesday, head coach Matt Eberflus stated that most of his starters will play a good portion of the first half. The starters receiving significant playing-time is vital as second-year quarterback Justin Fields needs to establish more rapport with his passing targets other than wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet. One potential option could be rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus says the starters will play up to the half, around 25-30 plays, on Saturday in Cleveland. Selected, experienced players will exit before that.

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 23, 2022

The Bears Offense Needs To See Early Success From Jones

One of the main concerns regarding the Bears’ offense, other than the quality of the offensive line, is whether or not the team has enough talent to assist Fields in the passing game. Other than Mooney and Kmet, Chicago’s receiving group will likely feature Byron Pringle, N’Keal Harry, Tajae Sharp, Equanimous St. Brown, and Jones. Outside of Mooney, none of the pass-catchers listed have proven to be a promising pass-catching threat to help Fields improve as a quarterback.

Although new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s offensive scheme has been promising through Chicago’s first two preseason games, no one other than Mooney or Kmet has recorded a reception longer than 20 yards when Fields has been in at quarterback. To make matters worse, Pringle and Harry could miss the start of the regular season in a few weeks as the veterans are recovering from injuries. The injuries to the veterans could result in the Bears opening the regular season with Mooney, St. Brown, Sharpe, and Jones as the team’s primary receivers against the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers will likely look to take both Mooney and Kmet away from Fields and force the other Bears’ pass-catchers to make plays. Of the three remaining receivers, Jones has the most upside due to his speed and ability to pick up yards after the catch. The rookie receiver from Tennessee is likely to be Chicago’s deep-threat in the passing offense, but his role can change depending on the health of the receiver position at the start of the season.

VELUS JONES JR. GOT SOME WHEELS ON 'EM

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/df20qw6icQ

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 19, 2022

Getsy needs to find a way to utilize Jones to take advantage of the significant defensive coverage given to Kmet and Mooney. Chicago’s new offensive coordinator needs to have a package of plays of either short or deep passing routes to highlight the rookie’s elite speed. While at Tennessee, Jones’ speed enabled him to be featured on short-passing patterns such as screens and slants but also allowed him to be deployed on deep posts and fly patterns.

If opposing defenses force Fields to throw to different passing targets to move the ball, Chicago’s quarterback has the throwing accuracy to connect with Jones on deep passing plays. Furthermore, Getsy’s offense appears ready to scheme receivers open by utilizing pre-snap motions and play action fakes to free defenses. With Jones’ speed, the slightest hesitation could lead to receptions of significant yardage by the rookie receiver.

VELUS JONES JR. FOR SIXXX. TENNESSEE STRIKES FIRST AGAINST THE DAWGS. 😤 pic.twitter.com/5LSskNXqU8

— 247Sports (@247Sports) November 13, 2021

Jones Needs to Follow In The Footsteps Of Darnell Mooney’s Rookie Season

If Jones is capable of having success early on as a rookie, it wouldn’t be the first time a Bears’ first-year receiver was able to contribute immediately. Mooney, during his rookie season back of 2020, broke several Bears’ rookie records. That season, Chicago’s receiver broke the franchise record for receptions and receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver. Despite a disappointing 8-8 season, Mooney contributed consistently throughout the season in many different ways.

10. Darnell Mooney caught all three passes that came his way and a good chunk of his 38 yards were after the catch.

Cole Kmet would've had a touchdown too if Trubisky had thrown him a better ball.

Quite a debut for the #Bears 2020 draft class. pic.twitter.com/l1LJelNrrl

— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) September 14, 2020

Right away, Mooney contributed to the Bears’ offense catching six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the team’s first two games. What was remarkable was that the rookie had not played in any preseason games as the 2020 preseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Chicago head coach Matt Nagy found the best way to use Mooney early in the season as the receiver was featured on mid-level passing routes over the middle.

Mooney’s early success of being featured in specific role led to him having an expanded role and becoming more of an explosive downfield threat. From Week 4 to Week 9 of the 2020 season, Bears’ quarterbacks attempted at least one pass of 25 yards or longer to the rookie receiver, with him having a reception of 20 yards or more in three of those six games. As the season progressed, Mooney was used consistently as a target, either as a short-yardage option or deep threat.

I’m watching these routes by Darnell Mooney say to myself…man, he’s only a rookie! I just wish these could of been completed passes tho. #Bears pic.twitter.com/EWyry4FyIu

— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 28, 2020

There are many questions surrounding the Bears’ offense heading into the regular season, including who will step up as a reliable and consistent presence in the passing attack. Jones has a massive opportunity to become a promient part of Chicago’s offense and has the traits to take advantage of the coverage likely to be focused on Mooney and Kmet. Getsy will put Chicago’s rookie in a position to make plays on offense, but the production needs to come instantly for the Bears and Fields to be successful.