Bengals rookie WR Charlie Jones oozes confidence as return specialist
Playing for three different college programs in six years, opportunity wasn't always present for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones. The man often called "Chuck Sizzle" had to pave his own way. First at Buffalo, then Iowa, and finally Purdue, Jones' path to the NFL was as unorthodox as you'll see in the COVID era […]
Playing for three different college programs in six years, opportunity wasn't always present for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones. The man often called "Chuck Sizzle" had to pave his own way.
First at Buffalo, then Iowa, and finally Purdue, Jones' path to the NFL was as unorthodox as you'll see in the COVID era of college football. When he finally landed in a competent offense, he made sure not to waste it for the Boilermakers. His 110-reception season in 2022 was the main reason he was drafted in the fourth round instead of waiting for calls to sign as an undrafted free agent.
But before he made his name known as a receiver, he turned heads as a return specialist. Do not discount that area of his game when projecting his fit with the Bengals in 2023 and beyond.
After his first official practice in a Bengals uniform Friday at rookie minicamp, Jones explained his process as a returner, and the conviction he possesses in those situations.
"I'm confident back there, and that comes from the way I prepare," Jones said. "I don't take that lightly. I want to be on my own out there, and every time I go out there I feel like I'm gonna take one back. So I'm gonna be aggressive, but smart back there. I'm not gonna do something dumb trying to try to make the moment too big."
Jones has the track record to back up the talk. He was named the 2021 Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year while at Iowa, averaging over 26 yards per kickoff return attempt that year. The Hawkeyes also featured him as a punt returner during his two years on the team, taking back 58 attempts for exactly 500 yards with only one muff.
His return duties took a step back in 2022, but the ability is most definitely there. It's also sorely needed in Cincinnati.
Trent Taylor has manned the punt returner's role since late in 2021 and has been adequate. The veteran averaged exactly 10 yards per return last season with a long of 27.
What Taylor's yet to do is take one to the house. If Jones can do that just once in preseason action, he'll win the job right then and there like Alex Erickson did vs. Brandon Tate back in 2016.
If nothing else, Chuck Sizzle will be confident as Taylor's competition this offseason.
