Darnell Mooney's resurgence is pivotal for the sustained success of the Bears' offense.
The Chicago Bears' offensive unit is firing on all cylinders, a sentiment not commonly echoed by its fanbase.
With Justin Fields finding rhythm with DJ Moore and Cole Kmet, it's reminiscent of the 2018 era, where Mitch Trubisky showcased brilliance in consecutive matchups against the Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Patriots.
However, for this momentum to persist, Darnell Mooney's role in the offensive scheme needs a significant uplift.
At the season's outset, the Bears showcased a quartet of potential receivers for Fields: Moore, Kmet, Mooney, and Chase Claypool. Five games in, while Moore is shattering records and Kmet strides towards his career-best, the latter duo hasn't risen to the anticipated expectations.
With Claypool now Miami's concern, it's imperative Mooney steps up. Fields' current prowess is commendable, but relying solely on two receiving options might not cut it in the long run.
Mooney's present statistics are concerning. He's managed only 8 successful receptions from 16 attempts. Such a 50% reception rate places him last among active roster members, only surpassing Claypool. As per Pro Football Reference, Mooney's success rate stands at 37.5%, whereas both Moore and Kmet hover around 65%. If this trend persists, Mooney might conclude the season with a mere 350 yards in receptions.
With Moore and Kmet achieving an impressive 80% target success, Mooney undoubtedly has room for enhancement.
Maintaining the current momentum demands Fields having more than two primary targets. Expecting Robert Tonyan to fill this gap seems unrealistic given his career trajectory.
Mooney is trending towards setting personal low records in multiple categories. He's had outings against Tampa, Kansas City, and Washington where he didn't register a single catch, despite being on the field for over 100 snaps across these games.
While DJ Moore is expected to consistently surpass the 100 yards receiving benchmark, Mooney's role is to balance the offense and provide Fields with diversified options. Even regular receptions totaling around 40 yards would be a welcome change.
Speculations about Mooney's full recovery post his ankle injury last season are rife, though the Bears haven't indicated any such concerns. Whether it's a lingering injury issue or a mental block, it's imperative for Luke Getsy, Fields, and Mooney to address it promptly.
The upcoming game against the Vikings, known for their aggressive defense, necessitates sustained drives. Here, Mooney's involvement becomes crucial. While Moore and Kmet's contributions are laudable, for Fields to retain this form, Mooney's consistent performance becomes indispensable for the remainder of the season.
| POLL | ||
13 OCTOBRE | 27 ANSWERS Darnell Mooney's resurgence is pivotal for the sustained success of the Bears' offense. Is Darnell Mooney a good WR2? | ||
| yes | 21 | 77.8 % |
| no | 6 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
