Darnell Mooney Work Ethic Likened To 3-Time Super Bowl Champion

Darnell Mooney might be one of the biggest steals the Chicago Bears have drafted in the past decade. In two years, he has already broken the team’s rookie record for receptions and then topped 1,000 yards in his second season. One would think he’d be viewed among the game’s 10-15 best receivers. Instead, he’s been relegated to the NFL backwater. Most presume his success came from the benefit of being in the same offense as Allen Robinson.

That suits Mooney fine. It only serves as an incentive for him to work harder. In a recent article, Dan Pompei of The Athletic revealed how driven the young receiver is. There is no free time with him. Every moment not spent eating or sleeping is focused on football. It has gotten to such an extent that he even invades the quarterback room during film sessions. Wide receiver study isn’t enough for him. Former Bears quarterback Jim Miller has seen this type of thing before. He explained who it reminded him of on Bears All Access.

Kevin Faulk can empathize with Darnell Mooney.

He might’ve been one of the most underappreciated players of his era back in the 2000s. Across 13 seasons, he accumulated 12,340 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns for the New England Patriots. He was a vital part of their diverse offensive attack. The Patriots likely don’t win their second and third championships in 2003 and 2004 without his strong Super Bowl performances. One would think a guy who topped 990 yards from scrimmage three times would get a little more respect.

It didn’t matter in the end. Faulk had the last laugh. People kept talking about his size (5’8) and always sitting in the shadow of guys like Tom Brady, Deion Branch, and others. He didn’t let that steer him away from doing his job. Faulk silenced them all on game days. That is what Darnell Mooney aims to do. The difference is he’ll be the offense’s focal point moving forward. Maybe he will get the respect Faulk never got.