The Bears are being encouraged to acquire a receiver who is more well-rounded than Darnell Mooney.
As Darnell Mooney approaches free agency next season, the name of current Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown has surfaced as a potential target for the Chicago Bears.
Numerous analysts, including Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, have suggested Brown as a potential 2024 addition for Chicago, possibly as an upgrade over Mooney. Holder emphasized that Brown could provide the team with the speed element Mooney brings while offering an upgrade as a more complete receiver with a solid track record of success. Brown, often known as "Hollywood," is only two years removed from a 1,000-yard season and has posted impressive numbers this season despite the instability at quarterback for the Cardinals.
Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron also identified Brown as one of the six free agents the Bears should target in 2024. Zimmerman highlighted the prospect of pairing Brown with DJ Moore and potentially adding an elite WR through the 2024 NFL Draft, creating a formidable receiving group that could challenge opposing defenses. While Brown wouldn't come cheap, his acquisition could replace Darnell Mooney, who appears inclined to test free agency rather than stay with the Bears.
Marquise Brown, 26, was initially a first-round pick from Oklahoma for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and spent his first three years with the Ravens before joining the Arizona Cardinals. In his 13 starts with Arizona this season, Brown has accumulated 51 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns. His most notable season came in 2021, when he recorded 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns.
Zimmerman's contract projection for Brown in the upcoming offseason suggests a three-year deal worth $36 million with $20 million guaranteed, whereas Spotrac estimates Mooney's projected market value at just over $10 million per year.
Brown and Mooney share similar statures, with Brown being slightly faster. Brown's career has been more productive, with a higher touchdown rate and average yards per game. However, Mooney has been targeted significantly less this season compared to Brown, and when consistently targeted, he has shown his ability to produce.
While Brown could potentially be an improvement over Mooney for the Bears, it remains uncertain how Chicago will address the wide receiver position and how Mooney will approach free agency. Nonetheless, Marquise Brown is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on.
| POLL | ||
6 DECEMBRE | 44 ANSWERS The Bears are being encouraged to acquire a receiver who is more well-rounded than Darnell Mooney. Is Darnell Mooney still a good WR2? | ||
| yes | 29 | 65.9 % |
| No | 15 | 34.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
