Former Tennessee Vols WR is catching heat for quote during NFL training camp

Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Velus Jones Jr is catching some heat for a comment he made during Chicago Bears training camp this past week.

Jones, a third round pick by the Bears in the 2022 NFL Draft, has struggled a bit since reaching the NFL.

The former Tennessee standout has just 11 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown over his first two seasons in the NFL (he also has 154 rushing yards and a touchdown).

Jones, who started his college career at USC before transferring to Tennessee, has also dealt with some ball security issues.

Despite the struggles, Jones could still play a pivotal role for the Bears in 2024 thanks in large part to his ability to return kicks. The Alabama native, who just turned 27 years old in May, can be electric with the ball in his hands. And because of the NFL's new kickoff rules , returners are expected to be more valuable than ever this upcoming season.

Jones, though, still has a lot to prove as an NFL player. Which is why some folks were surprised by his bold comment during a recent media session with reporters.

"One-on-one I feel like nobody can keep up with me," said Jones. "Especially if it's a go ball. And it's rare that you're going to see anybody run with me."

Former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, who is from Illinois, suggested that while Jones is "very explosive", he should "focus on catching, not talking".

I don't mind the confidence from Jones there. For starters, he's not wrong -- Jones runs the 40 in 4.31 seconds. There aren't many defensive backs who can keep up with that kind of speed.

Additionally, Jones has displayed an ability to be explosive in the NFL.

Jones is entering the 2024 season with a chip on his shoulder. He's eager to prove that he's a better player than what we've seen the last two seasons.

‘‘I just can’t wait for this preseason to get the ball in my hands [and] to run past some guys, run through some guys and let my natural abilities take over, like they always do,’’ said Jones last week ( via the Chicago Sun Times ). ‘‘I feel like it can be easy to forget what a player can do when you don’t see it...I can’t wait to remind people.’’

‘The thing about film is you can watch film from the past, but they can’t judge about now and how I progressed and how hard I’ve been working," added Jones. "It doesn’t matter what anybody has to say about you. They’re not the one putting in the extra work...It’s all about you vs. you.’’

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what Jones says, it only matters what he does on Sundays this fall. His words won't change the narrative, only his play on the field can do that.

If Jones can live up to his own lofty expectations in 2024, the outside noise will quickly go silent.

Related: Josh Heupel's decision from before he ever coached a game at UT prevented Nico Iamaleava from being in an Arch Manning-like situation