How D.J. Moore's Arrival Sets Darnell Mooney Free For Bears

The Chicago Bears acquiring D.J. Moore was a major coup for GM Ryan Poles. He instantly gives Justin Fields another credible receiver with a great pedigree and a proven track record. His versatility and reliability are big reasons the Carolina Panthers had any semblance of a respectable passing game over the past five seasons. He can be a security blanket for anybody under center. Yet what hasn't been talked about enough is how his presence can help those already on the roster. None more so than Darnell Mooney.

Last season the Bears had a problem. Nobody on the roster seemed capable of playing in the slot. It's a difficult position that requires specific traits. So, being the team player he is, Mooney became their primary guy on the inside. They did this despite clear evidence that the former 5th round pick is at his most dangerous when lined up wide. Since the start of 2021, Mooney has produced 11 games where he went for 60 or more yards. Of those 11 games, five came when he was lined up equally or more often out wide than in the slot, including the only time he did so in 2022.

The Bears are never able to truly showcase his game-breaking speed unless he's lined up outside. With nobody else on the roster capable of working the slot last season, though, he was forced to devote more time there. That changes with Moore in town.

The Bears must help Darnell Mooney by shifting Moore.

One of the bigger criticisms the Carolina Panthers deserve is not deploying Moore in the slot as often as they should've. Despite clear evidence that he could be dangerous inside, he made his living as an outside receiver. The only game he saw more snaps in the slot than outside came last year. He went for 83 yards on five catches in that contest. Moore has the necessary quickness, agility, and route-running skills to feast in that spot. That would be especially true with Mooney drawing away coverages with his speed on the outside.

What remains to be seen is whether offensive coordinator Luke Getsy recognizes this necessity. He is a coach that prides himself on utilizing players according to their biggest strengths. If that is true, then we should see Moore in the slot more often with Darnell Mooney out wide. It can be a perfect marriage of their talents, making life so much easier for Fields. We should get a taste of what might be coming when training camp begins later this month. One can only hope the Bears have the necessary foresight.