5 Chicago Bears players who won't be back next year

2. Will the Chicago Bears re-sign Darnell Mooney?

The one draft pick that the Chicago Bears made at wide receiver may end up impacting Darnell Mooney the most. We know that Tyler Scott and Darnell Mooney are definitely the most similar to each other size-wise. The big question is how do they fit on the field together.

The Chicago Bears were pushing Mooney into the slot far more often in 2022 than they did in 2021. That appears to be how the new coaching staff views him. With that in mind, it had to be noteworthy that the Bears have had Scott working almost primarily in the slot during the first days of rookie minicamp.

Scott lined up outside 97% of the time in college, so this could just be an idea to get him to become a more well-rounded player. At the same time, they could be asking him to spend his rookie season learning the slot as the backup to Mooney. If they feel good about his progression, they will easily let Mooney walk and they will have an experienced player who spent a year working in the slot.

It is hard to see Darnell Mooney getting a contract before this season. His play and the progression of Scott through the season may change what happens in 2024, but right now it looks like the plan to is to move on from Mooney and let Scott come in.