Bears Lose Key Special Teamer Carl Jones Jr. to Ravens, Face Crucial Stretch Without Him
The Chicago Bears are in the thick of a high-stakes playoff chase, but after Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, the margin for error just got thinner. What was once a commanding grip on the NFC’s top seed has slipped - now sitting at 9-4, the Bears find themselves in the seventh seed, with the 8-5 Detroit Lions breathing down their necks. And with four games left in the regular season, every phase of the game matters - especially special teams.
On Tuesday, Chicago took a hit in that department when linebacker Carl Jones Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens. The Bears had released Jones with the intention of bringing him back to the practice squad, but Baltimore had other plans - and now Chicago has a hole to patch on one of the league’s more quietly effective special teams units.
A Special Teams Staple Walks Out the Door
Jones wasn’t a headliner, but his impact was real. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears’ special teams unit holds an 88.5 grade - good for 12th in the NFL heading into Week 15.
Jones played a key role in earning that mark. His individual special teams grade of 66.5 ranked 11th among Bears players this season, and his six tackles had him tied for fifth on the team.
That’s the kind of production that doesn’t make highlight reels but wins you field position battles - and in December football, that’s gold.
The decision to waive Jones came as part of a roster shuffle. With linebackers T.J.
Edwards and Noah Sewell returning to action against Green Bay, and with the team needing to bolster depth on the offensive line by adding Jordan McFadden, someone had to go. Unfortunately for the Bears, that someone was a core special teamer - and now he’s suiting up for a playoff contender in Baltimore.
Who Picks Up the Slack?
The Bears aren’t without options, but replacing Jones’s consistency won’t be plug-and-play. Daniel Hardy and Jonathan Owens currently lead the team with nine special teams tackles apiece, and Elijah Hicks is right behind with seven. Those three will likely shoulder even more responsibility moving forward.
There’s also D’Marco Jackson and Jaylon Jones, each with five special teams tackles. While they’ve shown flashes, they’ll need to elevate their roles with Jones Jr. out of the picture.
And then there’s rookie Ruben Hyppolite II, who hasn’t seen much action this season due to a shoulder injury. If he can get healthy in time, he could be a candidate to step in.
But the most intriguing option might be Jaylen Reaves-Maybin. The Bears have already elevated the veteran special teamer twice this season and have one more elevation left.
A former All-Pro with the Lions, Reaves-Maybin brings experience and impact - two things that are hard to find this late in the season. If Chicago chooses to sign him to the active roster, he could be a valuable addition for the playoff push.
Every Inch Matters Now
This isn’t just about replacing a linebacker. It’s about maintaining the edge in a part of the game that often gets overlooked - until it doesn’t.
With the Lions right on their heels and the NFC playoff picture tightening, the Bears can’t afford to let special teams become a liability. Losing Carl Jones Jr. to the Ravens is a setback, no doubt.
But how Chicago adjusts - and who steps up - could help determine whether this team is still playing in January.
The Bears have been one of the league’s most balanced squads this season. But with four games left and the postseason in sight, the little things - like a missed tackle on punt coverage or a blown lane on kickoff return - could be the difference between a wild card spot and an early offseason.