Several subplots came out of last week against the Miami Dolphins. Obviously, Justin Fields was the biggest, along with the debut of Chase Claypool and the continued struggles of the defense. That made it easy to gloss over one of the bigger surprises of the weekend when Matt Eberflus and the coaches deactivated Velus Jones. The rookie wide receiver was declared inactive despite being healthy. Not exactly the vote of confidence fans want to see for a 3rd round pick.
Eberflus was finally asked about it on Wednesday ahead of the Detroit Lions game. Rather than give casual assurances that Jones would be fine, the Bears’ head coach was surprisingly blunt. He stated unequivocally that Jones wasn’t going to be handed anything. He’s in a crowded wide receiver room now with Claypool’s arrival and the looming return of Byron Pringle. If he wants to see the field, he will have to earn it in practice by making more plays.
Matt Eberflus continues to uphold his original pitch.
Everybody on the roster is held to the same standard. It doesn’t matter what their background is. If they don’t perform to that standard, they don’t play. The fact is Jones hasn’t done enough to warrant playing time. He muffed two punts in losses to New York and Washington at crucial times. Then he dropped what should’ve been a huge pass from Fields against Dallas that might have changed the trajectory of that game.
It isn’t hard to see why Matt Eberflus chose to bench him. They’ve given the rookie every opportunity to make something happen. Each one has quite literally slipped through his fingers. When coaches sense they can’t trust a player, they aren’t going to play him. There is no denying Jones is a talented athlete. That doesn’t mean much if he can’t consistently catch the ball. He will have to work hard to fix that. Until then, the Bears will give opportunities to others that have earned them.
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As the season is now at about its mid way point the tryout for next season is in full swing. If fringe players on the roster don’t start maximizing their opportunities they’re going to get pushed down. This season isn’t about winning. It’s about growing. One week players will look good and the next could be bad, what we’re looking for is these players to continue to develop. We want losses, but close losses. Avoid demoralizing blowouts so the team doesn’t implode.
Like I said earlier……….flush
A nicely said yet brutal point. They say a day on the bench always returns a better player the next game so we’ll see.
It’s a unfortunate outcome to this point in VJ’s career that he was a healthy scratch. I do understand it was a reach for the GM and a gamble, something had to be tried. Hopefully, this guy gets his career back on track and becomes an asset for the Bears. If not, trade him and try to recoup something.
My interpretation. and expect the Poles supporters to shoot me down – is there any offensive or trade at a skills position who has made an impact thus far? Claypool gets a chance to be the first against the Lions. I see Eberflus and Getsy making this work with the selections made by Ryan Pace. Really. anyone could have come in and reviewed the poor contracts of key players. and disposed of them. So. vote me down but I’m waiting for Poles to bring in an offensive or speacial teams player who can contribute to positve field positiin.