Ryan Poles felt the offense needed more juice in the passing game. Justin Fields is trending in the right direction, playing his best football over the past three weeks. The problem is he hasn’t gotten much help from his wide receivers. So the Chicago Bears GM got some help in the form of Chase Claypool. The former Pittsburgh Steelers standout found himself marginalized with his old team after the emergence of George Pickens. Whatever the reasons, Poles couldn’t pass up the opportunity to acquire such an obvious talent. One person that seems more than happy with it is Darnell Mooney.
The speedy receiver is by far the Bears’ most reliable pass-catcher this season. Unfortunately, opponents have been able to key on him more often without any other significant threats to worry about. That could change with Claypool in the fold. Mooney thinks the size and speed he brings make him an immediate outside threat. Together with N’Keal Harry, the Bears suddenly have two big targets that can play on the boundaries. That would enable him, with his speed and quickness, to play more in the slot.
Darnell Mooney has good reasons to feel this way.
This season has proven he is often at his best playing from the slot. His three best games of this year came in weeks 4, 6, and 8. He logged 27, 31, and 29 snaps in the slot in those respective games. It probably isn’t a coincidence his best game last year (126 yards vs. Minnesota in Week 18) came when he logged 38 snaps from the slot. Mooney seems to think that spot perfectly fits what he does best. Now the Bears have somebody in Claypool that will enable him to play there more often.
That reflects a nice bit of scouting work by Poles and his front office. They recognized how well the 24-year-old could fit with them. They’d be able to play him outside where he prefers while simultaneously moving Darnell Mooney inside to where he prefers. It’s a win-win proposition that will make the Bears’ offense better. It may take time for things to gel. Learning a new offense mid-season is a tall order for any player. Still, there could be glimpses of some exciting stuff in the coming weeks.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
good article…putting Mooney in the slot with the big boys…Claypool. St. Brown and Hardy on the outside now makes our WRs look pretty good!
Really hoping to see more N’Keal Harry as well. Start throwing him some jump balls
I don’t think we’ll see the best of his connection with Fields until next season but we’ll hopefully see enough flashes to make that a mouthwatering prospect
I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season. I don’t expect we will be winning many more games, 2-3 maybe but only because the defense will be giving up a whole lot of points. However, I do expect to see the offense continue to evolve and score more points. I remain cautiously optimistic.
Moon’ is a TEAM guy. I like him.
Way to go Poles.
Let’s see how intelligent Chase is.
do we have a legit shot at beating Miami? (those WR are 2 of the best)…. but if we can keep up scoring with them I actually feel we do have a shot.