The Chicago Bears got the job done on Sunday in Jacksonville. After a slow start, they throttled the Jaguars in the second half to deliver a decisive 41-17 rout. It’s the most points this team has scored since back in 2018. As is customary, the players get Monday off in the event of a win on Sunday. That meant no practice. While most would love the extra bit of rest, Darnell Mooney is not one of them.
The rookie wide receiver has been tremendous for this team all year. Through 15 games, he has 538 yards and four touchdowns. His 50 catches are the most by a rookie in Bears franchise history. This doesn’t even account for the several missed big plays due to poor throws along the way. If he is this good already, there is no telling how much better it will get.
How did Mooney get this good?
Pure hard work. Sure being fast helps, but it takes more than speed to thrive in the NFL. One of the things that drew the Bears to him at Tulane were the reports of his work ethic. Nobody put in more time trying to improve than him. It certainly shows. His route running skill is far ahead of where rookies normally are when they get to the pro level.
It’s a big reason why he’s been able to basically become their #2 target on offense behind Allen Robinson. Need a sneak peek into just how maniacal Mooney is? He posted a video recently of him taking passes from a Jugs machine in the middle of a hallway with his helmet on.
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Darnell Mooney can be a superstar if he ever gets a QB
Like any receiver, he’ll be at the mercy of his quarterback. Thus far Mitch Trubisky has done okay getting him the football. Let’s be honest though. Neither he nor Nick Foles have managed to unlock Mooney’s full potential. The Bears drafted him in hopes he’d become their deep threat in this offense. While he’s shown he is fully capable of being that, it doesn’t really matter if the quarterback can’t get the ball to him down the field.
Neither Foles nor Trubisky have proven to be reliable deep throwers. So until the Bears find somebody who can be that guy? They’ll have to get creative in finding ways to get Darnell Mooney the ball in space. Then again the kid is already proving himself to be much more than just a vertical threat. He can run the full route tree and beat various types of coverage. Given enough time he could turn into a true wide receiver.
Somebody that will make plays regardless of the situation.
It will be interesting how this unfolds in the years to come. Perhaps Trubisky will evolve and improve his deep ball. Or maybe the Bears finally find that franchise guy they’ve been searching for. Either way, Mooney has proven one thing. He is going to always be ready. Just look his way and throw him the football.