The Indianapolis Colts could certainly use another wide receiver in their aerial attack. Could Chicago Bears wide out Darnell Mooney be the answer?
There was a time a couple of years ago when Mooney seemed primed to become one of the best receivers in football. Back in 2021, he hauled in 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns, terrific numbers for a guy who was in his second year.
However, last season, Mooney regressed significantly, catching just 40 passes for 493 yards and a couple of scores in 12 games before bowing out with an ankle injury.
Things have not gone much smoother for Mooney through the first three games of 2023, as he has logged just four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Mooney is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and at this point, it certainly is not a slam dunk that the Bears will re-sign him. As a matter of fact, one could argue that it is unlikely.
Chicago is 0-3 thus far and has shown zero signs of contending for much of anything. even in the winnable NFC North. With the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline looming, the Bears could very well become sellers in the coming weeks, meaning Mooney could be on the move.
Enter the Colts, who have looked pretty impressive over their first three games and could stand to provide rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson—or Gardner Minshew, depending on who plays—with another target.
Mooney is a speedster who could slot right into an Indianapolis receiving corps that already includes Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. While Mooney is not a No. 1 guy at this moment, he has flashed top-flight ability before, lending credence to the notion that he and Pittman could comprise a fairly lethal duo of pass-catchers.
Indianapolis could send a 2024 third-round draft pick to Chicago in exchange for Mooney, giving the Bears a valuable asset as they look toward retooling the roster this coming offseason.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
