Chicago Bears News: Darnell Mooney frustrated with role

The Chicago Bears may have another wide receiver that is upset with their role in the offense.

During the first month of the season, wide receiver Chase Claypool voiced his frustrations with the Bears’ coaching staff and that was the precursor to the team dealing Claypool to the Miami Dolphins in October.

A month later, the Bears may have a similar frustration with wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

Marc Silverman of ESPN 1000 mentioned on his radio show that Mooney has taken issue with his role in the team’s offense this season. (H/t to our friends at Bears Wire for the transcript of what Silverman said)

"“I know for a fact that Darnell Mooney has privately had conversations with management about his lack of a role with this team,” Silvy said during the 4 p.m. hour of Tuesday’s show. “He’s one of the hardest workers, but he has been, in a good way, private about his displeasure. He wants more of a role.”-Bears Wire"

Mooney has appeared in each of the Bears’ 11 games this season while totaling 345 receiving yards on 23 receptions. Mooney’s receptions are significantly lower at this point of the season than they were last season. Mooney appeared in the Bears’ first 12 games of the 2022-2023 NFL season and had totaled 40 receptions before his season ended due to an ankle injury.

After totaling 1,055 yards in his sophomore season with the Bears in 2021, Mooney appeared to be on a clear ascension toward being a prominent member of the Bears’ offense. After a slow start last season, Mooney appeared to be finding his footing before suffering a season-ending injury against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12.

While Mooney has been healthy this season, he has been noticeably slower in his route running. In the Bears’ Week 9 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Mooney had his best game of the season as he totaled 82 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Though, in the two games since, Mooney has a total of three receptions.

It will be interesting to see if Mooney sees a resurgence in his role now that Justin Fields is back as the team’s starting quarterback. Mooney is a free agent after the season so he will need a strong finish if there is going to be interest from the Bears on a long-term deal.