The initial belief was that Darnell Mooney had likely suffered a high ankle sprain in the loss to the New York Jets. Further tests have since revealed the damage is more significant than anticipated. According to multiple sources, the Chicago Bears’ best wide receiver suffered multiple torn ligaments in his ankle. This will require surgery, effectively ending his 2022 season. It was one of the few losses the team could ill afford on the offensive side of the ball. Justin Fields‘ job gets that much harder.
Mooney was his most trusted target. Now it falls on Cole Kmet, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Velus Jones to pick up the slack. That is easier said than done with how much the passing game struggled, even with Mooney. This reinforces the urgency for GM Ryan Poles to invest more resources in the position come next off-season. Claypool was a good first step, but they need more. This also throws a wrench in the Bears plans to possibly extend the wide receiver.
Darnell Mooney enters a contract year in 2023.
Rumors over a month ago suggested the organization was interested in locking the dynamic receiver down to an extension. All he had to do was finish the season well to get a strong payday. Things were headed in that direction after a slow start. Now he’s done for the year, putting his hopes of securing his money in danger. The question becomes whether the Bears look to extend him anyway or choose to hold off until he can play another season in this system. Mooney also may want to gamble on himself in hopes of landing a larger contract.
More than anything, one only hopes the surgery goes well and he rehabs without complications. He is a big part of the Bears’ future. Darnell Mooney is an explosive weapon that Fields trusts. His work ethic and dedication also fit the culture Matt Eberflus wants to build. It will be interesting to see how this setback changes whatever plans for spring the Bears had. They could be more aggressive at wide receiver than anticipated.
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