The Chicago Bears had a first half to forget on Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings. However, it certainly ended on a positive note. Following a stop by the defense, a bad pun by the Vikings gave them great field position at the 50-yard line. Justin Fields knew he needed a big play to get his team back in the game. So he did what he often does. He looked for his best guy. That is Darnell Mooney. Boy, did the wide receiver deliver.
There is no getting around it. That is one of the best catches you’ll probably ever see. For Mooney to battle tight coverage, track the ball, turn his entire body around almost 360 degrees and stab with one hand? People don’t understand how hard that is to do. That he did it despite being only 5’11 and 183 lbs makes it even more impressive. It had the desired effect too. David Montgomery scored a touchdown not long after to get the Bears back within striking distance 21-10.
Darnell Mooney is the only reliable receiver they have.
Dante Pettis put himself on the fast track to getting benched after two brutal drops in the first half. This was after he had another last week against the Giants. Nobody else has managed to step up. Equanimeous St. Brown looks like the backup he’s always been and the Bears haven’t gotten Velus Jones more involved yet. Until something changes, Mooney will be the guy Fields looks for when he needs a play.
The goal for the Bears moving forward is obvious. Find more talent to improve the depth chart. Adding better weapons would ease the burden on Darnell Mooney and make Fields more dangerous. Alas, it may take another offseason before that becomes a reality. Until then, it looks like that combination will be active quite often over the next three months.
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That isn’t what anybody hopes, but it is what many expected. This team needs more time to sort out their obvious problems.
Dante Pettis couldn’t start on St. Rita’s high school football team.
Question for GM, Ryan Poles: “What is Pettis doing on the Chicago Bears?”
And here’s one for you, Lambert: “Is Darnell Mooney a WR1, yet?”