Allen Robinson wants to be great. This isn’t a bad thing. However, he also knows he can’t be selfish. His individual achievements won’t mean much if the Chicago Bears don’t win a championship. That is his ultimate goal. If he has to sacrifice targets to other teammates in order to make the offense better overall? He’s prepared to do that without a second thought.
This is why he’s such a great locker room leader.
One thing that is crucial towards this end game is the incoming Bears rookie class. Getting them to play at a high level despite the setbacks of a COVID-19 offseason could mean the difference in everything. One name that has already stood out to Robinson is 5th round wide receiver Darnell Mooney. The veteran has high expectations for the kid already.
“I think he can be a great asset to our team. I got a chance to work out with Darnell over the summer in Florida. So being able to see pretty early and pretty quickly what he can do and what he can bring to the table. He’s a guy who’s freakishly athletic, you know, can stretch the field. He’s very mature for a rookie on the field and off the field. That’s what you want to see. He has a great grasp of the offense. So he’s coming along really fast.”
Allen Robinson sees what Mooney can bring to the table
The buzz around Mooney began from the moment the Bears drafted him back in April. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey reportedly banged the table for him. He saw a kid with the kind of explosiveness and agility this team hasn’t had. Somebody who can stress defenses both vertically and horizontally. Yet what people seemed to overlook was how he approaches the game.
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Mooney is a grinder. When he first got his playbook, he recorded himself reciting every single play. Then he went out to a field and ran the recordings out as if they were being said in the huddle. Then he’d run the route. That is how dedicated he is to his preparation. Something that just isn’t typical of a player who is 22-years old.
If he listens to what Robinson has to teach him, he can absolutely be an instant contributor.