Darnell Mooney
#2 WR,
Bears
ACTUAL 2022
102 FPTS
RANK: 71
2023 SEASON
157 FPTS
RANK: 55
AGE
25 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'11'' / 173 lbs
COLLEGE
Tulane
| SEASON | GP | FPTS | RANK | TARGET | RECPT | REYD | RETD | REAVE |
| 2023 | 15 | 157 | 55th | 92 | 54 | 774 | 4 | 14.3 |
| 2022 | 12 | 102 | 71st | 61 | 40 | 493 | 2 | 12.3 |
| 3yr Ave | 17 | 182 | 36th | 119 | 71 | 843 | 4 | 11.87 |
Should be cleared for training camp
Published: 2023-06-07
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Mooney (ankle) will be ready for training camp, barring a setback, Adam Hoge of AllCHGO.com reports.
Mooney hasn't been available for any of the Bears' offseason workouts while rehabbing from the season-ending ankle surgery he underwent last November. Eberflus has maintained a positive outlook on the wideout's recovery, and Mooney appears to be on track to be 100 percent by Week 1. The 2020 fifth-round pick's target share is expected to take a hit in 2023 after the addition of DJ Moore, but Mooney should still operate as Chicago's top deep threat. Meanwhile, Moore, Chase Claypool and Cole Kmet are expected to draw most of the short and intermediate looks from quarterback Justin Fields.
Fantasy Points by Week 2022
Weekly Stats 2022
| Fantasy Points | Betting | Receiving Stats | Routes Run | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WEEK | STADIUM | GAME | RANK | TARGET | SPREAD | O/U | TRGT | REC | YD | TD | AVG | AIR | YAC | DROP | 10+ | 20+ | 50+ | SHARE | SLOT | TIGHT | WIDE | |||
| 1 SF | Outdoor 67° | 1.8 | 111th | 1.80 | 6.0 | 38.5 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8.0 | 0 | 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18% | 42% | 0% | 58% | |||
| 2 @GB | Outdoor 73° | 0.6 | 112th | 0.60 | 10.0 | 42.5 | 2 | 1 | -4 | 0 | -4.0 | -4 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18% | 43% | 0% | 57% | |||
| 3 HOU | Outdoor 65° | 4.3 | 77th | 2.15 | -3.0 | 40.5 | 6 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 11.5 | 11 | 1 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38% | 51% | 0% | 46% | |||
| 4 @NYG | Outdoor 59° | 13.4 | 24th | 3.35 | 3.0 | 39.5 | 5 | 4 | 94 | 0 | 23.5 | 22 | 2 | 20% | 3 | 1 | 1 | 25% | 51% | 0% | 49% | |||
| 5 @MIN | Dome 57° | 7.2 | 58th | 3.60 | 8.5 | 43.5 | 5 | 2 | 52 | 0 | 26.0 | 20 | 6 | 0% | 2 | 1 | 0 | 24% | 65% | 2% | 33% | |||
| 6 WAS | Outdoor 48° | 13.8 | 26th | 1.97 | 2.0 | 38.5 | 12 | 7 | 68 | 0 | 9.7 | 7 | 3 | 0% | 2 | 2 | 0 | 46% | 50% | 0% | 49% | |||
| 7 @NE | Outdoor 56° | 8.3 | 50th | 2.77 | 8.5 | 39.5 | 6 | 3 | 53 | 0 | 17.7 | 13 | 5 | 0% | 3 | 1 | 0 | 29% | 42% | 0% | 58% | |||
| 8 @DAL | Dome 64° | 12.0 | 35th | 2.40 | 10.0 | 42.5 | 5 | 5 | 70 | 0 | 14.0 | 6 | 8 | 0% | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22% | 44% | 0% | 56% | |||
| 9 MIA | Outdoor 58° | 17.5 | 11th | 2.19 | 4.0 | 44.5 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 1 | 6.1 | 3 | 3 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0 | 30% | 59% | 0% | 41% | |||
| 10 DET | Outdoor 34° | 9.7 | 45th | 2.42 | -3.0 | 48.5 | 4 | 4 | 57 | 0 | 14.3 | 10 | 5 | 0% | 3 | 1 | 0 | 22% | 53% | 0% | 47% | |||
| 11 @ATL | Dome 41° | 12.9 | 27th | 3.23 | 2.5 | 49.5 | 5 | 4 | 29 | 1 | 7.3 | 2 | 5 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26% | 59% | 0% | 38% | |||
| 12 @NYJ | Outdoor 50° | 0.0 | 124th | 0.00 | 7.5 | 39.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 44% | 0% | 50% | |||
Performance Splits: 2020 to 2022
| Fantasy Points | Receiving Averages | |||||||||||||||||
| LOCATION | STADIUM | GP | GS | GM | TOUCH | RANK | TRGT | REC | YD | TD | AVE | AIR | YAC | DROP | 10+ | 20+ | 50+ | |
| Home | Outdoor | 21 | 17 | 0.6 | 1.64 | 87th | 7.3 | 4.7 | 53 | 0.3 | 11.2 | 7.4 | 4.0 | 5% | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | |
| Away | Outdoor | 15 | 11 | 0.5 | 1.15 | 144th | 5.9 | 2.9 | 35 | 0.1 | 12.2 | 9.0 | 3.4 | 12% | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | |
| Away | Dome | 6 | 5 | 2.2 | 1.84 | 124th | 7.0 | 4.8 | 71 | 0.2 | 14.6 | 8.0 | 6.6 | 3% | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | |
| Away | Retractable Dome | 3 | 2 | 3.2 | 1.92 | 76th | 5.0 | 3.7 | 39 | 0.3 | 10.7 | 4.5 | 6.2 | 0% | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |
Career Stats by Season: 2020 to 2022
| Fantasy Points | Receiving Stats | Routes Run | |||||||||||||||||||||
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | GP | GS | TOTAL | RANK | TRGT | REC | YD | TD | AVG | AIR | YAC | DROP | 10+ | 20+ | 50+ | SHARE | SLOT | TIGHT | WIDE | ||
| 2020 | 23 | CHI | 16 | 9 | 152 | 99th | 98 | 61 | 631 | 4 | 10.3 | 7 | 4 | 2% | 24 | 6 | 2 | 16% | 23% | 0% | 76% | ||
| 2021 | 24 | CHI | 17 | 14 | 220 | 23rd | 140 | 81 | 1,055 | 4 | 13.0 | 8 | 5 | 10% | 42 | 14 | 3 | 27% | 42% | 0% | 56% | ||
| 2022 | 25 | CHI | 12 | 12 | 102 | 71st | 61 | 40 | 493 | 2 | 12.3 | 8 | 4 | 5% | 19 | 7 | 1 | 17% | 51% | 0% | 48% | ||
Still rehabbing ankle injury
Published: 2023-05-23
Mooney (ankle) isn't participating in the Bears' OTAs this week, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
Mooney suffered an injury to his left ankle in Week 12 of last season and needed season-ending surgery. Coach Matt Eberflus said Mooney is "progressing," but it sounds like the wideout isn't expected on the field before the start of training camp. With DJ Moore now in town and Chase Claypool getting ready for his first full season in a Chicago uniform, Mooney's targets are going to take a hit, but he should also see less attention from opposing defenses. Look for him to serve as Chicago's top downfield weapon with Moore, Claypool and Cole Kmet handling the intermediate looks.
Recovery going well
Published: 2023-05-06
Mooney was recently spotted running during spring workouts and appears to be recovering well from his season-ending ankle injury, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Chicago's top receiver suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 of last season that kept him out for the remainder of the year, but his recovery seems to be going well. Before the injury, the now fourth-year wide receiver was leading the team with 493 yards, 61 targets and 40 receptions in what was a down year compared to his previous season, when he had 1,055 yards, 140 targets and 81 receptions. In the ensuing months, Chicago acquired wide receivers Chase Claypool and DJ Moore and addressed its poor offensive line play, drafting tackle Darnell Wright 10th overall and signing guard Nate Davis in an effort to assist starting quarterback Justin Fields. While Mooney won't be the target hog he used to be due with Chicago's new and improved weapons, he could be more potent on a per-play basis.
Role change likely
Published: 2023-03-11
Mooney (ankle) should now be the Bears' No. 2 receiver after the Bears acquired DJ Moore on Friday.
Mooney proved to be an excellent receiver when he posted 1,055 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2021. But last year, the Bears' passing offense struggled to start the year. Then, in Week 12, Mooney fractured his left ankle, and he ended the year with 493 yards. Expected to be back on the field in some capacity this spring while he recovers from the injury, he should be a much better fit as a No. 2 receiver, with Moore expected to slot in as the top option. Mooney has shown the ability to get open at all levels of the field. Even though it's unlikely he reaches the 140 targets he saw in 2021, the quality of targets could increase with defenses focusing on Moore.
Should be back for OTAs
Published: 2023-01-10
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Tuesday that Mooney (ankle) should be back on the field in some capacity this spring, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Mooney is working his way back from the season-ending surgery he underwent to repair a fractured left ankle, an injury he sustained in the Bears' Week 12 loss to the Jets. Before getting hurt, the third-year wideout was the top target for Justin Fields, hauling in 40 passes for 493 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. The Bears are likely to address their receiving group this offseason, but Mooney should be locked into a starting role regardless of what additions Chicago makes.
Ends season on injured reserve
Published: 2023-01-08
Mooney (ankle) ended the season with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns over 12 games.
After breaking out with 1,055 yards and four touchdowns in 2021, it was a disappointing season for Mooney. Early in the season, he was limited by an offense that used Justin Fields as a drop-back passer behind a porous offensive line. As the Bears began to use Fields' legs more often, Mooney became more productive before his season ended early due to an ankle injury. Unless the Bears make adding wide receiver talent an offseason priority, Mooney could remain the team's top option in the passing game. He's under contract with the team through the 2023 season.