LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- When then-rookie Bears receiver Darnell Mooney stepped in to fill a key role in his first NFL game, it didn't come as a surprise to himself or the team.
While Mooney was an NFL newcomer who didn't have the benefit of an in-person offseason program or a full training camp, the Bears knew he was different. He proved them right. A fifth-round pick in 2020, Mooney was second on the team with 61 receptions last season.
"I'm telling you, we knew in the fifth round we were getting a steal," Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Mooney. "We knew it.
"He's proven so far to be what we thought he was -- because he works hard."
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What makes the 23-year-old Mooney unlike most receivers who are drafted on Day 3? A lot of it has to do with his fierce determination. After finishing practices as a rookie, Mooney would often return home to catch passes on a JUGS machine in his apartment while also working with a personal coach to improve his craft outside of Halas Hall.
After a strong rookie season, Mooney is looking to evolve his game further in 2021. His focus is now on adding "flavor" to his receiving routes, as he put it.
"Last year, I was more so just trying to just be at the right place at the right time," Mooney said. "This year, I'm more comfortable just taking my time, being more at pace and being able to just win the route and then the quarterback hit me. So just having that confidence and being able to run the route is definitely different than last year."
Progressing to an advanced level of route running is something Mooney has found to be a smooth process alongside veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, whose decade of NFL experience allows receivers to improvise routes. The 33-year-old Dalton understands the details of each play well and can play off his receivers to create opportunities.
Mooney's growth is also the byproduct of working alongside Bears star receiver Allen Robinson, who's considered an excellent route runner. Though Mooney and Robinson are different types of receivers, they share a unique drive.
Mooney and Robinson meet on the sidelines after every play and share what they saw on each route.
"He's a person who's very much eager to get better, wants to get better, wants to fine-tune his route running, wants to better his craft each and every day," Robinson said.
Since Robinson joined the Bears in 2018, they've struggled to complement him at receiver. Anthony Miller, a second-round pick in 2018, failed to grasp the offense well and was traded to Houston in July in an exchange of late-round draft picks. Riley Ridley, a fourth-round pick in 2019, has been trusted to play in just 10 games over two seasons. Veteran Taylor Gabriel was productive but often injured.
Then along came Mooney, instantly earning his way alongside Robinson by following his lead.
"I'm just trying to be great," Mooney said. "Every day I wake up I want to be the best I can be."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
