LOOK: Bears WR Darnell Mooney bulks up for 2023 season

Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney suffered a severe ankle injury at the end of the 2022 season, putting his status for this summer’s training camp and the beginning of the 2023 season in doubt. Bears coaches have remained optimistic that Mooney will be back for training camp later this month, and a new photo of the fourth-year wideout appears to justify that optimism.

Check out the new-look Mooney:

Chicago Bears Justin Fields, Cole Kmet, DJ Moore & Darnell Mooney throwing at Maine South on their off day. @justnfields @ColeKmet @Darnell_M1 @MaineSouthAth @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/cys1UnC8oH

— Maine South Hawks Football (@HawksMaine) July 3, 2023

Darnell Mooney was expected to elevate into the WR1 role for the Chicago Bears in 2022, but the offense’s historically slow start stalled his preseason momentum. He finished the season with career lows across the board: 40 catches for 493 yards and two touchdowns.

But that was the 173-pound Mooney. He looks significantly bigger than that in this photo. Justin Fields is 228 pounds, and while he’s taller and has a thicker overall frame, Mooney definitely closed the gap between himself and his quarterback on the scales.

The new muscle-bound Mooney can solidify his role as the Chicago Bears’ long-term WR2 if he returns to his 1,000-yard form. He’ll be challenged by Chase Claypool for that next contract, but all signs point toward Mooney being the safer bet.

Claypool’s been hampered by soft-tissue injuries near the end of the offseason program.

The Chicago Bears traded for DJ Moore to assume the WR1 duties in the passing game, and Mooney won’t challenge him for that role. That’s a good thing. Mooney never should’ve been thrust into the go-to-guy position for the Bears, his skill set didn’t fit that job description.

But if there’s one thing that can’t be denied about Mooney, it’s his commitment to the game. He’s proven that since entering the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2020. He continues to prove it by how he’s worked on his body.

Now, Darnell Mooney looks the part. Call it a hunch, but Mooney could be the Chicago Bears’ most pleasant surprise by the end of the 2023 season.