Chicago Bears Rumors: 5 Players who could still be moved at the trade deadline

Chicago Bears Trade Rumors: Darnell Mooney, WR 

Since his arrival in Chicago in 2020, Darnell Mooney has been a fan favorite. But his involvement in the passing attack has decreased the last two seasons. As the speedster approaches the end of his rookie contract, the Bears would be wise to gauge the market. 

Why the Bears may want to move him 

Getting a player like Mooney in the fifth round has proven to be great value. However, as Mooney is set to his free agency after the season, it’s no longer about performance relative to draft selection. The truth is the addition of D.J. Moore has rendered Mooney’s skill set redundant. 

While they aren’t identical, Mooney and Moore ultimately win in many of the same ways. Both are weapons in the vertical passing game and use their speed and ball tracking to make plays downfield. The difference is Moore is a better-rounded receiver than Mooney. He also offers upside after the catch and uses his larger frame to make contested catches. 

The Bears' current passing attack is just too limited to fully utilize both Mooney and Moore and with Moore clearly being the superior player of the two, Mooney has taken in a back seat. 

Why another team would want him 

Mooney was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2021; he has proven that he can produce at the NFL level. He also possesses a sought-after skill set due to his deep speed and playmaking ability.  The scarcity of quality receivers at the trade deadline makes Mooney an intriguing option for any team in need of a pass-catcher.