Former WR Blasts Darnell Mooney For Failing Justin Fields
Justin Fields is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears. That means he will garner most of the scrutiny when the team loses. It’s the nature of the position he plays. Scoring seven points in a football game is unacceptable, and he must take ownership of that reality from the loss to the Washington Commanders. That said, plenty of people aren’t shy about pointing the finger elsewhere for that debacle. One name that came up is Darnell Mooney.
The Bears insisted the third-year receiver was poised for a big year. It made sense. He was coming off 1,000 yards last season and no longer had to share targets with Allen Robinson. Things haven’t gone as planned. Mooney has 214 yards through six games and zero touchdowns. A microcosm of his season came on the final play of the game when Fields hit him in the hands for what should’ve been the game-winning TD. Mooney, unfortunately, bobbled the ball and didn’t regain control until he was out of the end zone.
Some people felt the difficulty level of that catch was higher than it should’ve been. Former Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson didn’t want to hear it. He stated on Keyshawn, JWill, & Max for ESPN that #1 receivers are supposed to make that play. Mooney failed his quarterback. It’s time to stop calling him a #1 or even a #2.
Darnell Mooney is losing money with every failed clutch play.
Rumors are the Bears are interested in extending the receiver after this season. The problem is these repeated failures to come through when his QB needs him most aren’t doing much for his bank account. Mooney holds himself to a high standard. Right now, he’s looking at maybe $14 million per year at most, far below that of any #1 receiver in the league. Good receivers make tough, contested catches. He doesn’t do that often enough.
It is why Bears fans are clamoring for the team to be aggressive on the receiver market next year. When your best option would likely be #3 on most of the top offenses in the league, it’s a problem. Darnell Mooney has 11 games left to change that narrative. It won’t be easy. Chicago plays some excellent defenses in the coming weeks. Life won’t get any easier. Keyshawn isn’t wrong in his criticisms. Only one man can make them untrue.