Empire Star Gets Shot With Chicago Bears

Albany Empire standout Wide Receiver Malachi Jones adds being signed by the Chicago Bears to his amazing list of achievements. WR of the year, Rookie of the year and now NFL training camp.

Jones Transitions to the National Football League After a Year in the Arena Football League

ALBANY– 2018 Albany Empire wide receiver Malachi Jones has announced that he has signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.  The rookie shined in his AFL debut leading the Empire to an 8-4 regular season record and the top seed in the playoffs.  

 

Jones showed his full potential with his first career catch in the AFL being a long and elusive 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown in Albany’s inaugural game.  Over the course of the regular season, Jones led the league in receiving yards (1,156) and total touchdowns (34).  He finished second in receiving touchdowns (29) and fourth in receptions (77).  Jones racked up the awards in his debut season, earning First Team All-Arena, Wide Receiver of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors.

 

“Malachi embodies everything that a great football player should be and is a perfect example of how hard work pays off,” said Rob Keefe, Head Coach of the Albany Empire.  “He was everything that we knew he would be and then some and the Albany Empire organization is beyond proud to have played a role in helping him achieve his goals.”

 

Jones will be in good AFL company with his new team.  Current Bears Head Coach, Matt Nagy, was a quarterback in the AFL where he played for six seasons before transitioning to the National Football League and joining the Philadelphia Eagles.  Current Wide Receiver Coach, Mike Furrey, spent two seasons in the AFL as a wide receiver and defensive back before making the move to the National Football League.  During his time as a receiver in the AFL, Furrey racked up 182 receptions for 1,574 yards and 73 touchdowns.

 

Jones has signed onto the 90-man Bears training camp roster and will look to make the cut and earn a spot on the 53-man roster by the start of the season.