LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — As general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears work to lock in key players for their future, receiver Darnell Mooney is looking toward what’s next for himself.
Mooney, 26, is playing in the final season of his rookie contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. After tight end Cole Kmet landed a four-year contract extension in July and as cornerback Jaylon Johnson has negotiated with the Bears in recent weeks but failed to come to an agreement, Mooney is taking the nature of his uncertain future in stride.
“You can't look for something tomorrow,” Mooney said. “Whenever it comes, it comes. You just have to take care of your job. Extensions are a good thing. Obviously, I would love to be here. I love Chicago. I love the fans. I love just being here. I mean, we've got everything in here.
“I would definitely love to be here. But like I said, you just can't worry about it. Somebody is going to pay eventually.”
Mooney has 20 receptions for 307 yards and a touchdown this season. He hauled in five receptions for 82 yards during the Bears’ 24-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans.
A fifth-round pick of the Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft, Mooney had 142 receptions for 1,686 yards and eight touchdowns across 33 games in his first two NFL seasons. He has just 60 receptions for 800 yards and three touchdowns in 21 games over the last two years, and he missed the final five games of the 2022 season due to an ankle injury.
Mooney’s lack of production recently has come in part due to the instability of the Bears' offense. The arrival of top receiver DJ Moore also resulted in a lesser role for Mooney, who has never complained about his opportunities.
“Anything negative is not going to bring back positive to me or the team,” Mooney said. “So, me being chilled and waiting for when my time comes, it will be better for me and the team-wise to just chill, and then whenever that ball or opportunity comes to make the most of it.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.