Bears player with high hopes in 2024 puts himself right back in the doghouse after huge mistake vs Titans

Leading up to the 2024 season, Chicago Bears receiver/running back/kick returner Velus Jones Jr. had nothing but optimism and confidence going his way from the organization.

The support couldn't have come at a better time with Jones' spot on the roster in jeopardy all summer from all the noise from the outside.

The Bears still had high hopes for Jones in 2024, and even turned down a reported trade offer , based on his potential as a returner under the new kickoff rules and the impact he made after moving to running back during the preseason. It only took one game for things to come crashing down.

Late in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans in the regular season opener, Jones muffed a kickoff and kicked it forward, resulting in a turnover after it was recovered by the Titans kickoff team. The turnover led to another quick score by the Titans giving the team an early two possession lead.

"I know that is not what he wanted obviously," head coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. "We'll evaluate in terms of kick return as we go."

On the following kickoff return after coughing up the fumble, Jones was replaced by running back Khalil Herbert, who was back deep to return with wide receiver Deandre Carter. After the Titans third score of the game, Carter put the word "dynamic" into the new dynamic kickoff with a 66-yard return. Carter also answered all the punt returner questions, totaling 64 yards on five returns.

Eberflus did add that he was proud of how Jones responded after the turnover even though he wasn't used again on kickoff. On offense Jones had two carries for 11 yards.

Jones' size and speed made him look like the ideal player to return kicks for the Bears under the new rules that went into effect this season. However, his ball security that has plagued him his whole career continued to be an issue for the Bears. Here's what special teams coordinator Richard Hightower had to say about Jones' potential in the role leading up to the game.

“I always thought that the kid was super, uber talented,” Hightower said . “Really that big and that fast and then now he’s gained a tremendous amount of confidence because he is making a lot more plays now and he has done a great job on offense. He’s always done a great job in the kicking game, so just looking for him to keep growing and excited about his development phase.”

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how things look on paper and in practice, if you can't step up in a game, someone else will. And it seems like that is what's going to happen for the Bears on kickoff returns going forward.

Related: 5 Bears predictions for the 2024 NFL season: Underrated defensive back has a breakout season in a surprise way