The Chicago Bears have a tortured history at quarterback. It is one fans know by heart. Many often forget that the legacy at wide receiver isn’t much better. Every time it appears the organization finds a potential star, something goes wrong. Marcus Robinson ruined his knee in the early 2000s. Minor injuries and contract squabbles bedeviled Alshon Jeffery. Allen Robinson fell off a cliff after three solid years. Hopes were high that Darnell Mooney, their big find in the 5th round of the 2020 draft, was ready to ascend.
He had over 1,000 yards in 2021, showcasing his mix of speed and route-running prowess. However, he endured a difficult 2022 due to quarterback inconsistency and missing five games with injuries. What many don’t know is this didn’t deter the Bears. GM Ryan Poles apparently made an effort to lock up Mooney long-term with a contract extension before the start of 2023. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, it would’ve been a solid payday. Mooney turned it down.
“Mooney could have a better market than some who follow the Bears expect. I don’t think teams are going to hold his lack of production in 2023 (31 receptions, 414 yards, one touchdown) against him knowing that Justin Fields didn’t work to his back-side reads very effectively. There’s a cautionary tale here for Mooney as he turned down an extension offer from the Bears before last season started. As I understand it, Mooney had a three-year deal worth more than $10 million annually on the table. It will probably be hard for him to approach that on the open market.”
Darnell Mooney fell into a trap.
He did what many other NFL players too often do. He bet on himself. The receiver likely felt a bounceback year in 2023 would give him more negotiating power with his rookie contract expiring. That gamble blew up in his face. He managed only 414 yards and one touchdown last season, his worst as a pro. Now, he approaches a free agent market that doesn’t look great for second-tier options, especially with an NFL draft that appears loaded at the position. Projections have him commanding a one-year deal at $9 million at best.
No long-term security and less than he would’ve gotten from the Bears. What makes it worse is a three-year deal would’ve meant he becomes a free agent again by age 30, giving him another chance to earn a solid payday. For every Jaylon Johnson who successfully bets on himself to have a career year, there are too many like Darnell Mooney who pass up a substantial offer for something more, only to watch the dice come up snake eyes. It is a safe bet he will sign somewhere with an established quarterback, hoping to rehabilitate his value before it’s too late.
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