Darnell Mooney to Bears fans: Get ready to win

Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney has been a fan favorite since he joined the team as a fifth-round pick in 2020. He’s always been an underdog, guys who are built like him aren’t supposed to be 1,000-yard receivers in the NFL. But Mooney proved quickly in his career that physical makeup is only part of the battle.

NFL players must have the heart and work ethic to enjoy sustained success. Mooney, who famously bought a JUGS machine with his first pro paycheck, has both in spades.

Those character traits make him a good bet to recover from his season-ending fractured ankle on time for training camp, which kicks off later this month.

Darnell Mooney spoke with WGN’s Kaitlin Sharkey and said he’s on track to be on the field with his teammates when the pads go on.

“I’m good, I’m feeling good. I’m ready to roll,” Mooney said. “When training camp comes up in two weeks, I’ll be ready to go.”

The consummate team player, Mooney emphasized the importance of the Chicago Bears becoming a winning team in 2023. For a club that won only three games last season, it certainly sounds like there’s internal pressure to right the ship sooner than later.

“Another year in the same offense, under the same regime. We understand it,” Mooney said. “We’re not just thinking about, “are we doing the right things?”… I just know my Year 1 to Year 2 was a different thing knowledge-wise. I’m not on a hype train or anything. We’re just going to win. We have to win. Nothing else but that.”

Mooney ended the 2022 season with 40 catches for 493 yards and two touchdowns. It was a season in which he was challenged to become the Bears” WR1. And while his stats suggest he wasn’t that guy, the entire Bears” offense struggled to look like an NFL group for most of the season.

Now, it’s different. There’s more firepower with DJ Moore and a seasoned Chase Claypool. Robert Tonyan will pair with Cole Kmet to form the best tight end room in the NFC North. Most importantly, Justin Fields has another year of experience under his belt. He’s ready to launch.

But whenever a collection of young players or new additions are responsible for making an offense work, building rapport in the offseason is critical.

“It’s extremely important to have that chemistry,” Mooney said. “To have that family intact. It’s only going to make us better. We have to win. There’s no waiting and seeing how this thing grows. We have to win. It starts off Week 1 and going on from there.”

Darnell Mooney is in the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bears. Had he not suffered an injury in 2022, GM Ryan Poles may have already extended him. But with Moore and Claypool on the roster too, Mooney’s role in the wide receiver room has shrunk. Perhaps it’s the best thing for him. He can thrive as a WR2. He’ll be playing for that second contract this fall.

Still, Mooney’s main priority is a team-first goal.

“Get ready to win,” Mooney said in a message to Bears fans. “Tired of losing. Don’t go for any hypeness or anything like that. Just get ready to win.”