It’s no secret that NFL teams run vanilla schemes during their preseason games. It’s a smart strategy that precludes other teams from getting a real glimpse at your plans before the games count.
But if you ask Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney, he’s tired of the vanilla offense the team executed in their short preseason stint and ready to open it up starting with their Week 1 opener against the 49ers.
“I’m tired of the 3 to 4 plays we ran in preseason,” Mooney said, via Mark Grote. “I’m ready to open this thing up, and get everybody off our back.”
Three to four plays out of hundreds. While we have a good understanding of what we can expect from this Luke Getsy offense — quarterback Justin Fields on the move, a strong running game, vertical passing game, etc. — we also have no idea.
But Mooney will no doubt be a key cog on offense for Chicago and one of their most important players this season. Mooney is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and he’s stepping into the WR1 role following the departure of Allen Robinson in free agency.
Mooney is no doubt Fields’ favorite target, and while he’ll have to contend with defenses making him the priority, Mooney will be a huge factor in the success of this offense.
The Bears will get their first opportunity to “open things up” on offense against an impressive San Francisco defense.
