The Chicago Bears offense is probably as tired as any fans out there of not being able to perform up to expectations. This has been the case for years now. Darnell Mooney has gotten a taste of it for over a year now. Given how hard he works, it isn’t a great feeling to know you’re considered part of the weakest link on the entire team. Is this discouraging him? No. If anything, Mooney seems more resolute than ever.
The past few weeks seem to have given the receiver and others on the offense hope. While the scoring still isn’t there, the progression of Justin Fields combined with a steady ground attack has him feeling confident that things are close. Everything is clicking a little more each week. Given a little more time and work, that breakthrough moment will arrive and he’s excited to see it.
Is he wrong in this assessment?
Not entirely. The Bears had moments against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday that showcased their potential. A great opening drive to score a touchdown where everything hummed. Fields hit a number of nice throws and the running game was going. Then in the 4th quarter, the offense delivered a gotta-have-it drive to narrow the score to 17-14. It was Fields’ best march of the year. One in which he took undeniable control of the wheel.
The trick for the Bears is finding a way to look like that for an entire game. They were mostly dead during the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Lulls like that can’t happen if they want to be taken seriously and win games. Mooney doesn’t sound discouraged. He can sense they’re getting closer. It’s just a matter of putting it all together once. When that happens, things will get a lot more interesting for this team.
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Darnell Mooney and Fields are building quite a connection
That was on display again in the Packers game. Mooney was mic’d up for the event. During the 1st quarter on the scoring drive, he made a nice catch near the sideline to set up 3rd and short. It turns out he couldn’t actually see the ball. He just instinctively knew by timing and route that Fields would’ve put the ball out there. So the receiver stuck out his hands and made the catch. A great sign of how in sync they are.
Khalil Herbert added to the excitement with his great performance as the primary running back. After starting the year as the #3 option, the Bears lost both David Montgomery (knee) and Damien Williams (COVID) in consecutive weeks. Suddenly Herbert was the guy and he didn’t blink, rushing for nearly 100 yards. This team has a deep backfield.
Then there is Cole Kmet.
After a difficult start to the season, he has 71 yards in the past two weeks. One of the best stretches of his career thus far. It is becoming clear he’s developing a connection with Fields as well. Things are slotting into place as Darnell Mooney said. It is a matter of getting them all to pull in the same direction at once.