Darnell Mooney: 'Somebody Is Going to Pay Eventually'

To hear Darnell Mooney, the target has been there all along and it's a matter of hitting it, whether he's talking about the Bears and a contract extension or catching passes.

Mooney would like a new contract, like several Bears potential free agents, and knows chances for this and the team's success can improve greatly if he has more games like he did Sunday.

"I mean, I've just been doing what I've been doing the whole season and the ball found me," Mooney said. "Just got to make the most out of every opportunity you can get. I mean, I did what I could with what I got."

Mooney's five catches and 82 yards represented the most since he had season-ending ankle surgery in 2022. Now the trick is proving it wasn't an isolated occurrence.

"I mean, we've got to see consistency with everything, so I'm looking forward to those opportunities and see if that was just a thing or if so, but like I said, it’s about not just me, it's about DJ, it's about Cole—get the ball in these playmakers' hands and let us make plays."

It seemed they finally found a way to do this way through three quarters Sunday and then it all dissolved into a stack of turnovers and a 24-17 loss.

"Like I said, I'm doing whatever I can every night, every game just to, you know, make the most out of the opportunities I get," he said."

"So I would definitely love to be here but like I said you just can't worry about it. Somebody is going to pay eventually."

_{-Bears receiver Darnell Mooney}

The Bears have had a difficult time getting their QB-receiver connections to click at once. When DJ Moore had a 230-yard game against Washington, Mooney didn't make a reception. When Mooney had a strong game Sunday, Moore had only three catches for 44 yards and fumbled. Meanwhile, Cole Kmet got completely blanked in the Raiders game when the passing game was low key and the running game ruled. But then he piled up 10 catches against the Chargers and two TD catches against the Saints Sunday.

Mooney insists he can still be a big part of the offense with both Moore and Kmet clicking. The blend can be found.

"If I'm able to get the ball in my hand, obviously I'm a playmaker," Mooney said. "It's no hidden thing with that. I've always made plays when I have the ball in my hand. There's nothing like a mystery with that. I make plays. That's my job and that's what I want to do.

"Obviously we have to do more of that, whether it be me, Cole, DJ, it's the same thing every time. You get the ball in those guys' hands and make plays and things go good with the offense."

It might even help Mooney get the coveted contract extension. He's not worrying about it, though. 

At least he says this.

"I mean within all that everything's up in the air," Mooney said. "Whatever happens, it happens."

Kmet, Andrew Billings and last weekend new Bears defensive end Montez Sweat all signed their extensions. Mooney and Jaylon Johnson are still looking for them.

Mooney doesn't think of it as an overriding issue for now.

"Whether it's here or wherever you go, somebody is going to take care of you," Mooney said. "So you've just got to go out there and play ball. It doesn't matter what you're going to do. You can't look for something tomorrow. Whenever it comes, it comes and you just have to take care of your job.

"Extensions (are) a good thing. Obviously I would love to be here. I love Chicago. I love the fans. I love just being here. I mean, we've got everything in here. Facility-wise we have one of the nicest facilities ever. So I would definitely love to be here but like I said you just can't worry about it. Somebody is going to pay eventually."