After yet another underwhelming season with the Chicago Bears, Darnell Mooney might find himself wearing a different uniform next year since he’s going to be a free agent this offseason.
Since breaching the 1,000-yard threshold in 2021, Mooney had career lows across the board. In 2022, he only had 40 receptions for 493 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and in 2023, Mooney only had 31 receptions for 414 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Chicago Bears Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney gets a pass for the Chicago Bears:
Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)
With roughly $80 million in cap space, the Chicago Bears will have the chance to fully rebuild their roster. In theory, Darnell Mooney’s production can be easily replicated via the NFL Draft, assuming Chicago finds a diamond in the rough.
Despite this, Darnell Mooney, 26, should have suitors when he hits the open market soon. If he joins the right team, he should be able to excel and maybe hit 1,000+ receiving yards once again.
Darnell Mooney’s Chicago Bears flop is not all his fault
Under former head coach Matt Nagy, Darnell Mooney has outplayed his draft stock as a rookie. But since Matt Eberflus took over, he hasn’t been the same since. It doesn’t help Mooney either that the Chicago Bears offense was struggling mightily under Matt Eberflus with Justin Fields as his quarterback.
Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) walks off the field after the Bears’ game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In the last two seasons, Justin Fields’ completion percentage was never better than 61 percent, which is why he has been involved in trade rumors, and it can be noted that Darnell Mooney was also competing with DJ Moore for targets last year.
In stark contrast, DJ Moore recorded 96 receptions for 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season, his fourth 1,000-yard campaign in his six NFL seasons.
Darnell Mooney’s possible landing spots after Chicago Bears
The Kansas City Chiefs quickly come to mind as one of the top destinations for Darnell Mooney since it would reunite him with Matt Nagy, who is the current offensive coordinator for the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.
Matt Nagy Chicago Bears
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on the field against the Denver Broncos before a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Other potential landing spots include the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots, because other than Chris Olave and Demario Douglas, they don’t have much else in the wide receiver position, and Mooney’s experience would surely help.
