With the Madden 23 ratings being announced by position groups, there’s still plenty of time for the Chicago Bears to be snubbed once again.
However, it didn’t take long for Madden ratings to discredit the skill of a player on the Chicago Bears, and this time around, it’s Darnell Mooney’s turn to be disrespected.
Chicago Bears WR, Darnell Mooney snubbed in Madden 23 ratings
After a 1,000-yard receiving season for Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears fans went to battle in the offseason, claiming Mooney was a true WR1 for the Bears. However, the Madden Ratings Adjusters — yes, that’s a real job — didn’t see what many Chicago Bears fans saw.
In Madden 23, Darnell Mooney tops the Chicago Bears’ wide receiver group with a rating of 79.
For context, Michael Thomas — who hasn’t caught a pass since December 13, 2020 — ranks 11 points higher as a 90 overall. Now, Michael Thomas has proven that he’s a true weapon, but it’s completely up in the air if he’s going to return to the All-Pro status he was prior to his injury issues.
There are plenty of receivers who have a higher rating than Darnell Mooney that really haven’t proven they’re a better receiver going into the 2023 NFL season.
To make for an easy comparison, Mooney’s 2021 stat sheet, as well as his Madden 22 rating are below. And make sure to remember, these numbers came from a Matt Nagy-ran offense with a carousel of quarterbacks, including a rookie.
81 receptions/140 targets; 1,055 yards; 5 total TDs (4 receiving, 1 rushing); 77 Madden 22 rating
WRs with higher Madden 23 ratings than Darnell Mooney
- Brandin Cooks: 89 overall
90 receptions/134 targets; 1,037 yards; 6 total TDs - Calvin Ridley: 86 overall
31 receptions/52 targets; 281 yards; 2 total TDs - Courtland Sutton: 84 overall
58 receptions/98 targets; 776 yards; 2 total TDs - Jarvis Landry: 83 overall
52 receptions/87 targets; 570 yards; 4 total TDs - Robbie Anderson: 82 overall
53 receptions/110 targets; 519 yards; 5 total TDs - Kenny Golladay: 81 overall
37 receptions/76 targets; 521 yards; 0 total TDs - Nelson Agholor: 81 overall
37 receptions/64 targets; 473 yards; 3 total TDs - Tim Patrick: 80 overall
53 receptions/85 targets; 734 yards; 5 total TDs
Now, are all of these receivers worse than Darnell Mooney? That’s debatable, especially with the receivers at the top of the list, but Mooney’s production with such a lackluster offense warrants an overall Madden 23 rating far higher than he received.
The fact that Darnell Mooney shares a Madden 23 rating with Corey Davis, Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins is enough to send the single or group of Madden Rating Adjusters to prison for life.
However, if this acts as a motivator for Darnell Mooney and the Chicago Bears offense, bring it on. This could be a monumental year for the upward tick of the Chicago Bears and their younger core.
If history repeats itself, there will be plenty more of these articles coming out, as Madden and the Chicago Bears being snubbed go hand-in-hand.