Darnell Mooney Labeled A "Budding Star" Among NFL Receivers

The popular assertion by the NFL media landscape is clear. When it comes to offensive firepower, the Chicago Bears have nothing to offer. Justin Fields is a man on an island with nowhere to run. This 2022 season will be rough for him. While it is easy to understand such a stance after the team didn't go through a spending spread during the off-season, it also isn't a fair assessment. The offense may not be brimming with firepower, but it has weapons. That includes wide receiver, Darnell Mooney. It is interesting how ignored his 2021 campaign is. Not every receiver is capable of posting 1,000 yards despite having to catch passes from three different quarterbacks. Mooney did it, and in an offensive system most experts would generously call inadequate. With Allen Robinson out of the picture and a growing connection with Fields, everything points to the third-year receiver having one of his best seasons yet. Field Yates of ESPN agrees.

"Mooney has already stated his case as a budding star after finishing in the top 20 in both receptions and receiving yards last season. Among all players with at least 80 catches, Mooney's 13.0 yards per catch ranked fourth, behind only Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. Decent company. He's a potential big-play threat with an obvious path toward massive volume, and I'm a firm believer that he and Justin Fields will take a decided leap forward this year. They've spent extensive time training together this offseason."

This isn't such a crazy take.

Mooney and Fields made lots of magic happen last year despite never working together in training camp. The receiver had arguably his best game against Detroit at Soldier Field, amassing 125 yards on only five catches. That was a taste of what the duo could do together if cultivated properly. All the work put in thus far suggests they plan to take things to the next level this year. It could end up being quite the show if they stay healthy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhE7-UodVuY&t=2s&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Darnell Mooney also has to overcome his humble beginnings.

Part of the disrespect comes from the fact he was a 5th round pick in 2020. He didn't have the major hype around him coming out of college as Justin Jefferson did. Mooney had to earn his way into the starting lineup and work harder to keep it. Only now has the wider NFL begun noticing what Bears fans already have. This guy can play. It feels like this will be the year he breaks out into the national consciousness. If things go as hoped, he'll set himself up for a lucrative payday going into 2023 when he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Presuming he earns it would put Darnell Mooney in position to make a run at the Bears' career receiving records. Others like Robinson, Alshon Jeffery, and Curtis Conway have tried. They stuck around long enough. This is the kind of homegrown talent that can, especially if Fields ascends as a quarterback.