The Chicago Bears have lost multiple leaders on both sides of the ball in the early portion of free agency.
They cut safety Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair before free agency. And they watched defensive tackle Justin Jones sign with the Arizona Cardinals for a handsome payday in free agency.
Now, fourth-year wide receiver Darnell Mooney departs for the Atlanta Falcons.
?Sources: The #Falcons are signing #Bears WR Darnell Mooney, giving them a key new playmaker for Kirk Cousins,? NFL Network?s Ian Rapoport reported on X, formerly Twitter, on March 12. ?Mooney gets a 3-year, $39M deal with $26M fully guaranteed in a contract negotiated by David Mulugheta and AJ Stevens of @AthletesFirst. A top WR off the board.?
Bears Lose Darnell Mooney to Falcons in Free Agency
Darnell Mooney Has Short Stay in Free Agency
Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft, Mooney had made peace with his contract situation.
Mooney, 26, had 414 yards and one touchdown on 31 receptions in 2021. He was limited for much of the offseason program after suffering an ankle injury in Week 12 of the 2022 season.
He enjoyed a breakout in 2021, posting an 81-1,055-4 line on 140 targets.
But his ankle injury, the arrival of D.J. Moore, and the emergence of tight end Cole Kmet in the passing game often left Mooney on the outside looking in. He did see a surge in production when rookie Tyson Bagent filled in for an injured Justin Fields.
That ended when Justin Fields stepped back under center. But the connection is there which does present an intriguing possible outcome.
Bears Having No Luck on Justin Fields Trade Front
From all reports, there is no trade market for quarterback Justin Fields. Some have suggested that it?s a matter of Bears general manager Ryan Poles? presumed asking price. There was speculation that the Bears could receive a Day 2 pick, i.e. in the second or third round.
That may have always been a longshot, though. The last three established (non-rookie or prospect) quarterbacks traded for more than a fourth-round pick were, in order, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Carson Wentz.
Wentz, who was traded for a package headlined by a second-rounder, is arguably the closest comparison. The other won Super Bowls on top of Pro Bowls on their resumes.
But Wentz, a one-time Pro Bowler, was an MVP candidate on an eventual championship team before injuries derailed him.
The Philadelphia Eagles also included a second-round pick in that deal to move Wentz?s contract. So there are some distinct differences. Still, the longer the Bears have to wait, there is a chance the price on trading for Fields becomes too much of a bargain to pass on.
Could Justin Fields Still Land with the Falcons?
Atlanta could bring him in for the final year of his contract, with his fifth-year option not posing the mandatory decision it?s been made out to be.
Would the Falcons bite for the cost of a Day 3 pick?
Fields is a Georgia native, has an established rapport with Mooney, and has already spoken highly of the Falcons? other weapons, noting they needed another wide receiver. In the end, it could be the best option for all parties.
