Seahawks practice-squad RB Velus Jones says getting cut by Bears was 'most relieving thing ever'

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Former Bears third-round pick Velus Jones is still fighting for a spot in the NFL, but he likes that a lot better than the enormous pressure he felt when he was with the team.

Jones bounced around after the Bears cut him in 2024 and now plays running back on the Seahawks’ practice squad. After an injury to starter Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks elevated him from their practice squad for both of their playoff games and could play him Sunday in Super Bowl LX against the Patriots.

Jones spoke highly of Bears general manager Ryan Poles and former coach Matt Eberflus, but viewed his exit as a positive even as it sent him scrapping for a job with the Jaguars, Panthers, Saints and Seahawks in the span of a year.

“It was the most relieving thing ever,” he told the Sun-Times. “With my mental health, no spotlight being on you, just being able to — when I got to Jacksonville, I had some of the best practices of my life.”

As for the weight of expectations he faced with the Bears, he said, “There’s no way you can prepare yourself for it. I had some good moments, some bad moments, but overall, I’m grateful for my time in Chicago.”

Poles picked Jones 73rd overall as part of his first draft class, envisioning him as a dynamic wide receiver and return specialist. Injuries set him back right off the bat, and he was not reliable enough with the playbook to earn significant playing time on offense. He was a constant liability on special teams, too, because of poor ball security.

It got bad enough on both fronts that the Bears signed veteran returner Trent Taylor in 2023 and moved Jones to running back in 2024. Poles said when he acquired Taylor, “When the ball gets punted, you can go grab a snack and go to the bathroom and feel confident about it.”

Since leaving the Bears, Jones has played 11 games and gotten 11 carries, including the postseason.

While he said he had no animosity toward the Bears, a curious post on X hinted otherwise. Moments after the Bears lost their divisional-round playoff game against the Rams, missing a chance to face the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, Jones posted an emoji of someone laughing so hard they were crying.

He declined to elaborate on that other than to say he was “joyful” and didn’t owe anyone an interpretation of it.

“People are going to take things how they want anyway,” Jones said. “I don’t have to explain myself to nobody... People are going to make whatever out of it. If you’re salty and bitter, you need to look in the mirror, because I’m happy, I’m blessed, I’m at the Super Bowl.

“God is good. My family’s great. My friends are great. My animals are healthy. I’m healthy. I’m good. Life is great. Everything else is irrelevant to me.”

Jones said he expects to be active Sunday.