Bears WR Darnell Mooney on chemistry with QB Justin Fields: We 'got drafted here for a reason'

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney joined the Chicago Bears when they selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 draft and then enjoyed a breakout 2021 season, much of which he spent catching passes thrown by rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Per ESPN stats, Mooney notched team-highs of 81 catches, 140 targets, 1,055 receiving yards and four touchdown grabs last campaign. 

The Bears now have a new head coach in Matt Eberflus, and Eberflus ultimately named former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy his offensive coordinator. As Michael David Smith noted for Pro Football Talk, Mooney recently told The Athletic's Dan Pompei how he's "never worked with a quarterback as much as he has with Fields" this offseason. 

"We’re just similar guys," Mooney said about his QB1. "We’re not forcing anything. It’s just natural. He got drafted here for a reason. I got drafted here for a reason." 

Mooney added the new offense "makes sense" heading into training camp. 

"A lot of things have been slowing down," the 24-year-old continued during his comments. "I learned that in OTAs, from my releases to catching the ball to seeing the ball. The ball is coming really slow to me. I don’t know, man. I believe this year will be a crazy year for sure." 

Mooney and Fields have a new teammate in receiver N'Keal Harry after the former first-round draft choice was traded from the New England Patriots to the Bears for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick earlier this week.