The Chicago Bears are sitting at 4-8 and are in last place in the NFC North. It's safe to say that several players are not performing up to the level we had hoped this offseason.
The Bears had a bye week in Week 13. With five games remaining, now is the time for several underperforming Bears to step up. The Bears' schedule is favorable from here on out, with games against the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers to end it.
Today, I want to identify three players who need to step up after the bye week.
Darnell Mooney
The Bears have gotten sparse production in the passing game from anyone not named DJ Moore or Cole Kmet. Moore and Kmet have 70 and 56 receptions, respectively, while Mooney has the third-most with just 25. It's no secret that the Bears' passing attack is lackluster, but Mooney is doing no favors for himself or his QB.
Mooney has come nowhere close to reaching his 2021 peak in the years since. In 2021, the receiver collected 81 catches for 1,055 yards and looked on his way to being an above-average receiver. Instead, Mooney's 2022 production combined with his 2023 production thus far doesn't even equal that 2021 season. Moore and Kmet could use some help in the receiving game. Mooney has the talent to be just what the Bears' offense needs.