Even when he’s no longer wearing a Bears uniform, Velus Jones Jr. still manages to stir things up in Chicago.
The wide receiver and return specialist, now with the Super Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks, raised eyebrows over the weekend when he posted a laughing emoji on social media shortly after the Bears were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. That one emoji was enough to ignite a fresh wave of frustration among Bears fans-many of whom remember Jones’ tenure in Chicago less than fondly.
Jones addressed the reaction during an appearance on The Sick Podcast with Adam Rank, and let’s just say his explanation didn’t exactly put out the fire.
“I mean, people can take it how they want,” Jones said. “If it affects you, it affects you.
It’s a country that you got freedom of speech. But the thing is, I never said something-if it makes sense.
I’m just blessed to be in this position every day. I got love for all my boys in Chicago.
You know, they are my brothers for life. This is bigger than a game.
This is bigger than a team. We can’t play this sport forever.
So those are real lifelong relationships with the guys and everything. Some of the fans are salty, but that has nothing to do with me.”
It’s a layered response-part deflection, part reflection. Jones made it clear he still has love for his former teammates, but he didn’t exactly walk back the timing of his post. And for a fan base that’s been through its share of heartbreak, that timing mattered.
Jones’ time in Chicago was, to put it mildly, underwhelming. Drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he struggled to carve out a consistent role on offense or special teams.
Over 27 games with the Bears, he totaled just 165 rushing yards and one touchdown, 135 receiving yards and one touchdown, along with 1,042 kickoff return yards and 35 punt return yards. Not exactly the kind of production you hope for from a Day 2 pick.
After being released in 2024, Jones bounced around the league-brief stints with Jacksonville, Carolina, and New Orleans-before landing in Seattle in October. Now, he's part of a Seahawks team preparing for the biggest stage in football.
Still, the friction with Bears fans lingers. The frustration isn’t just about a tweet-it’s about a player who never quite lived up to expectations in Chicago, now appearing to poke fun at the team’s playoff exit. Whether intentional or not, it struck a nerve.
Jones says he’s moved on. And maybe he has. But it’s clear that for many in Chicago, the wounds from his time with the Bears-and the way it ended-are still fresh.
For now, Jones has a Super Bowl to prepare for. And Bears fans? They’ll be watching from the sidelines, hoping the next chapter of their franchise doesn’t come with the same kind of postgame drama.