The Chicago Bears were victorious in their first preseason game of 2022, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 on Saturday. The most significant takeaway of the game was the impressive debut of several Bears rookies drafted by new general manager Ryan Poles in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite the performance by the rookies against the Chiefs, two of Chicago’s more prominent rookies have yet to make their NFL debuts in Kyler Gordon and Velus Jones Jr.

The Rookie Performances Only Add To The Growing Hype For Jones and Gordon

Gordon was the first player selected by the Bears in this year’s draft as the team drafted the cornerback from Washington with the 39th overall selection. One round later, Poles would select Jones in the third round from Tennessee to address the Bears’ need at the wide receiver position. Both players have been praised heavily by head coach Matt Eberflus and his coaching staff throughout the offseason and during training camp.

#Bears coach Matt Eberflus says WR Byron Pringle will be out for some time with a quad injury. No timetable. He says Kyler Gordon and Velus Jones are day-to-day, so good news for them.

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 6, 2022

Despite the high praise and promise of high potential, Gordon and Jones missed Chicago’s game against the Chiefs on Saturday as they are battling minor injuries. Unfortunately, both players missed the game as several of Poles’ draft selections stood out immensely in limited playing time. Safety Jaquan Brisker, running back Trestan Ebner, defensive end Dominique Robinson, offensive tackle Braxton Jones, and linebacker Jack Sanborn all flashed in their debut for the Bears, with several of them making impact plays.

#Bears rookies have shown up today.
– Jones looked good at LT
– Brisker was flying around the field
– Robinson with a nice sack
– Ebner with a big KR, big run & a TD catch
– Sanborn with an INT & TFL

— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) August 13, 2022

For as successful of a first game a majority of Chicago’s rookies had against the Chiefs, their performance now heightens anticipation and expectation for Gordon and Jones when they get on the field. It is unknown if the Bears will allow the rookie cornerback and wide receiver to play in the team’s next preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday or if they will have limited reps in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, August 27th.

Jones is expected to be a vital contributor to Chicago’s offense as his elite speed will allow him to be used on both passing and running plays. The pass-catcher from Tennessee recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash time for a wide receiver at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Jones’ presence gives the Bears’ offense a potential boost as new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy covets speedy wide receivers.

Darnell Mooney pointed to Velus Jones Jr. as somebody standing out to him during the Bears' offseason program: "When he gets the ball, you're going to see, he can fly. He's going to be a playmaker, for sure."

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) June 14, 2022

Gordon, when healthy, is expected to be Chicago’s starting cornerback alongside fellow cornerback Jaylon Johnson and also provide the defense with much-needed versatility. The defensive back from Washington has been practicing both on the outside and slot cornerback position. Gordon has familiarity with the Bears’ Cover 2 defense and is expected to be a solution to the issue that the team faced last season as opposing offenses targeted Bears’ cornerbacks other than Johnson due to Johnson’s stellar pass-defense coverage.

Gordon and Jones Will Be Put In Positions To Shine Immediately

Jones and Gordon will have a chance to make plays immediately when they get on the field because of how the other rookie played against the Chiefs on Saturday. Brisker stood out in the defensive secondary as he made several tackles on running plays and nearly had an interception. The rookie safety’s presence will take a majority of the focus off of Gordon and enable the rookie cornerback to be disruptive based on opposing offenses failing to account for his coverage potential.

Chicago’s rookie wide receiver will benefit from the presence of the team’s best receiving threat in Darnell Mooney. Mooney made a spectacular 26-yard reception against Kansas City on Saturday. Additionally, Jones could be freed up in Chicago’s passing game as Getsy’s play designs featured several plays in which receivers’ routes create separation for others for the Bears on the play. A prime example would be Dazz Newsome’s 13-yard touchdown catch as the pass-catcher was lost in coverage coming out of a trips-formation.

Dazz Newsome #ProHeels #Bears Touchdown pic.twitter.com/WJdQp29cXB

— Jarrod (@jhardy575) August 13, 2022

Getsy’s offense also featured multiple wide receiver end-around against the Chiefs, as it’s likely that the play is designed to feature Jones and allow the rookie to utilize his speed. Chicago’s new offensive coordinator did a tremendous job in putting the Bears’ offensive rookie in a position to excel, including using Ebner in the passing game. Jones has the most upside of all of Chicago’s rookies once he gets on the field.

Chicago had a promising start to the 2022 season against Kansas City due to the terrific performances of their rookies. Poles is proving to be a great talent evaluator given what took place on Saturday, with more to come when Jones and Gordon get on the field. When the rookie cornerback and wide receiver make their NFL debuts, they have a chance to add excitement to a very young Bears’ team that could be loaded with talent.