Justin Jones Opens Up About Bears Future: ?I Know How the Business Works?

Bears Jones

What does the future hold for Chicago Bears veteran defensive tackle Justin Jones?

That question, far more difficult to answer than it is to ask, has to be at or near the front of Jones? thoughts these days. In the final year of his contract, Jones is one of several Bears veterans who could be playing elsewhere next season.

The Bears have rewarded plenty of players with new contracts. Starting with Cole Kmet this past offseason, the Bears followed with defensive tackle Andrew Billings, Montez Sweat, and kicker Cairo Santos. But players like cornerback Jaylon Johnson and wide receiver Darnell Mooney are in limbo ? just like Jones.

In a conversation with Clocker Sports, Jones opened up about his desire to remain in Chicago, the impact he feels he has made, and more.

Bears’ Justin Jones Opens Up About Uncertain Future, Montez Sweat, & More

Justin Jones Would ‘Rather Be Here’ With Bears

Clocker Sports: Your second year in Chicago is coming to a close. Have you had any thoughts on your future, whether or not you would like to come back?

Justin Jones: I?d like to. But, obviously, it ain?t up to me. At the end of the day, these last two games is my resume. I’m gonna do what I got to do and leave off on a good note.

CS: When Alan Williams was here, he made a fairly bold statement: ?Justin?s our three-technique, that’s our guy.? Did you feel that support then, and has that changed at all since he’s been gone?

JJ: I wouldn?t say it?s changed. I still feel like they got me. You never know. I know how the business works, I know how this stuff go. So listen, I’m not tripping either way. I would want to be here. I’d rather be here. I built a strong relationship with these guys in this locker room, I feel they look at me as a leader in here. I feel like I was one of the foundational pieces for this defense as well. If that’s how they see me then, obviously, they know who to call. But if not, it is what it is. I’ll move on, just like they gonna move on. So, it is what it is.

‘The Film Speaks for Itself’

CS: The numbers game that they bring up in negotiations, how heavily are you hoping that it’s realized pieces weren’t there maybe last year that you guys have this year?

JJ: The film speaks for itself. I say you look at the film, you see I’m getting double-teamed and everybody else ain’t really doing their part. Like, you can see that. But now the double team ain?t really on me no more. It’s on somebody else, and you see my production?s picking up a lot. So it speaks for itself. But like I said, these next two games I’m just going to do my thing, enjoy my guys, man.

CS: How’s it felt to have that production kind of pick up?

JJ: I knew it would happen. Especially with the addition of Tez, having him come and take some heat off me and everything, I knew it was going to happen. But I’m glad it did when it did.

?I Love These Guys, Everybody in This Locker Room?

CS: You?ve seen the locker room go from the teardown stage to where you guys are building up now. How have you watched it transform? Positively?

JJ: It’s great, man, in my opinion. I just don’t see why you wouldn?t want the defense, the whole defense to be together again. We top five now ain’t we? So, yeah, like I said I know how the business works. But I ain’t tripping. It is what it is. I love these guys, everybody in this locker room, man. We built a strong relationship. Even if I’m here or not, I’m still keeping in touch with every one of these guys.

CS: How important was it for you to build that kind of relationship with everybody?

JJ: When you?re building a Super Bowl team, a championship team, man, these relationships matter. That’s just what it is.