For the first time since late November, Chicago Bears wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool were back on the field together as the team kicked off 2023 training camp.
As each player enters their fourth season in the league and the final year of their rookie deal, they face a pivotal point in their respective careers that will dictate what their futures look like after turbulent campaigns the year before.
In Mooney’s case, he entered the season as the team’s unquestioned WR1, but struggled out of the gate with production. Just as he seemed to turn a corner, however, he suffered a broken ankle and missed the rest of the year.
Meanwhile, Claypool was traded midseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Chicago and had to learn a new offense on the fly. His production was limited and he battled his own ailments to finish out the season. Now they’re both out to show they’re deserving of new deals and said as much to reporters.
On Wednesday, Claypool and Mooney met with the media following the team’s first practice of training camp. It was also the same day the Bears announced a four-year, $50 million extension with tight end Cole Kmet. Needless to say, it was a topic of conversation in the media sessions.
Mooney met with the media first and was asked by Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times if he felt he was healthy enough that the Bears would be comfortable extending him.
“I’m not a risk, I’m that guy you can count on,” Mooney said. “You don’t have to worry about me doing my job. If that’s something they want to do, that’s something they want to do. But I’m in professional football, I don’t do contracts. That’s why I got an agent.”
He sounds ready to go, though, and can’t wait to show what he can do. “Whenever they let me out of the cage, I’ll be ready for sure,” he said.
Mooney is still ramping up activity following his rehab, but is participating in individual drills to start camp.
After Mooney’s session ended, it was Claypool’s turn to talk with the media and he didn’t mince words about what this season means for him.
“This is the biggest year of my life and I understand that,” Claypool said in response to a question from 670 The Score’s Chris Emma regarding his motivation entering a contract year. “If anyone thinks my work ethic isn’t matching that, they’re deeply mistaken.”
He acknowledged the gravitas of the situation but also has his mind on helping the Bears improve in the win column following a 3-14 season.
“The goal is the same at the end of the day: it’s to win football games and my contract year aside, I want to win football games,” Claypool said.
Both receivers will be the first to admit they didn’t play up to their potential in 2022. Mooney had just 40 receptions for 493 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games, while Claypool managed just 14 receptions for 140 yards and no touchdowns in seven games with the Bears.
With the arrival of D.J. Moore, the pressure will be on these two to not only produce in 2023, but to prove they’re worthy of big money next offseason. Whether that’s with the Bears or another team remains to be seen but Mooney and Claypool are confident they’re worth the investment.
