The Chicago Bears still have 11 more games to play in 2022. However, it appears GM Ryan Poles isn’t wasting time making his plans for 2023. There is no question that the focal point of next spring will center on the offense. It is one of the worst in the NFL this year, with talent deficiencies everywhere. Poles has to rearrange the depth chart in several ways. He’ll also need to make decisions on the current players involved. That includes Darnell Mooney.
The wide receiver will enter the final season of his rookie contract next year. That means the Bears have a decision to make. Do they engage him on a possible extension, trade him, or let him play out the rest of his deal? It sounds like Poles already has an answer to that question. According to league insider Matt Lombardo of Heavy.com, the organization and Mooney have a strong mutual interest in working out a contract extension.
“Despite the one-dimensional nature of the Chicago Bears‘ offense, Darnell Mooney has been Chicago’s most prolific playmaker, when given the opportunity, and it sounds like Mooney could be on the cusp of calling the Windy City home for years to come.
Multiple league sources told Heavy that the Bears and Mooney have significant mutual interest in getting an extension done. However, Chicago is not permitted to actually sign Mooney to a new deal until the conclusion of his third season, which is this year.”
Retaining Darnell Mooney isn’t a hard decision.
It’s clear now he isn’t a true #1 wide receiver. His inability to make enough big plays in big moments illustrates that. However, that doesn’t mean he has no value. He is an ideal #2 target that can be good for two or three meaningful catches every week. There is no denying his constant deep threat ability is something opposing defenses fear. If the Bears can secure a legitimate #1 target, then he becomes even more dangerous.
The tricky part comes down to money. It is hard to pinpoint what Darnell Mooney is worth. That may depend on how he finishes the rest of this season. Right now he is on pace for 682 yards. He has yet to score a touchdown too. If that trend holds, the Bears may look to get him somewhere in the Curtis Samuel to Robbie Anderson range of $11.5-$14.75 million per year. Mooney holds himself to a high standard, so he may look to put on a big surge to get that number up when negotiations can begin. His goal might be Tyler Lockett or Christian Kirk ($17-18 million).
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Johnny Knox got folded in half the wrong way
I just don’t see Mooney as a #1 receiver on most teams. On a good team maybe he’s a 2. On a great team, a 3. Of course on the Bears he’s their clear #1. Would be glad to see him extended but the price has to be right. Still hoping the Bears come up with better options that can push him into the 2 or 3 slot where I think he belongs.
Very hard to state D Mooney is not a clear-cut #1 given the failures of J Fields and this offensive line. Hard to produce stats when your QB takes 3.5 seconds to throw the football, which makes one wonder just how bad is the OL ??? Fields is holding the ball for 1-1.5 seconds longer than any QB in the league, there are very few OLs who can pass protect for 3 seconds.
It’s immortal to see if Justin can develop. That said, I believe if Trevor was playing we would be winning.
Smith is losing? He's on pace to have 9 sacks, 3 INTs, and lead the league in both tackles and tackles for loss. (He leads now for Tackles for the entire NFL and leads 4-3 LBs in TFLs)