Darnell Mooney calls his dropped Hail Mary an ‘unfortunate thing’

Darnell Mooney’s days as a Chicago Bear seem like they’re numbered. He’s had a terrible 2023 season, and while his lack of production can’t all be attributed to his skill set, the fact he continues to come up short as a playmaker can’t be ignored anymore.

Mooney had just two catches for 14 yards in the Bears’ 20-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, but he had a chance to be the hero of the Chicago Bears’ playoff run on this Hail Mary at the end of the game:

DARNELL MOONEY HAD THE HAIL MARY IN HIS HANDS

MAN.pic.twitter.com/Jzd8BQ0Eqc

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 17, 2023

Would it have been a ridiculous catch? Perhaps even the catch of the year? Yes, but not because it was overly difficult. The game-winning scenario and the odds a Hail Mary actually works, are what made it potentially incredible. But once the ball landed in Mooney’s lap? He should’ve caught it.

“Shouldn’t have to come down to those things, just throw the ball up in the air and make some things work,” Mooney said after the loss, via The Athletic. “It’s an unfortunate thing that I wasn’t able to hold on to it.”

Unfortunate is one way to put it.

Mooney’s regression over the last few seasons has hindered the Chicago Bears’ passing game. The one-time 1,000-yard receiver (he had 1,051 yards in 2021) hasn’t come close to regaining that form over the last two years.

Darnell Mooney had 40 catches for 493 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 (in 12 games) and had just 27 catches for 395 yards and one score this year.

Mooney is playing on an expiring contract. He was once viewed as a guy who’d be a priority for GM Ryan Poles to re-sign, potentially even during the season. But he’s made virtually no on-field impact this season, and it’s unlikely he’ll have many teams lining up for his services once free agency kicks off.

Maybe he’ll return on a team-friendly one-year deal. Maybe he’ll determine the best move for his career is leaving Chicago.

No matter the outcome, Bears fans probably won’t care much. Sure, Mooney is a good dude. He’s good for the locker room. But with DJ Moore showing on a weekly basis how important quality receivers are to an offense, Chicago should look for an upgrade opposite him. Darnell Mooney simply isn’t cutting it.

He certainly didn’t answer the Bears’ prayers on Sunday.