Watch Darnell Mooney Absolutely Torch All-Pro Dolphins CB

Justin Fields and Darnell Mooney look like they’ve started to click over the past few weeks. They had a solid outing last week in Dallas, but they still haven’t been able to find the end zone. That ended in spectacular fashion on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Late in the first half, the Bears faced 3rd and 8 from the 16-yard line. Fields stood in the face of some good defensive pressure and delivered a missile to Mooney for a critical score. The best part was it came at the expense of Dolphins former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard.

This is the latest sign of how far along the Bears offense is. They’re playing with much more confidence now than in September. Fields is rapidly ascending into top 10 conversations while others on the roster have started to emerge. Mooney is one. Cole Kmet is another. Together with the arrival of Chase Claypool, this unit appears to have enough pieces to challenge any defense in the league.

Darnell Mooney is playing with an extra incentive.

He faces a big off-season in 2023. It will be the final one of his rookie contract. That means he’ll hope to secure a nice extension from the Bears. It won’t happen unless he plays well. After a rough start two months ago, he appears to have regained his footing. Word is the Bears are interested in extending him. What isn’t yet clear is how much money it will cost. That will be determined by how he plays down the stretch. More plays like that one help his cause.

The same goes for Claypool as well. He wants a payday of his own. Chicago could lock up both targets in one fell swoop, giving their quarterback weapons to grow with. Darnell Mooney has a strong connection with Fields. He senses something big is at hand. There is no question he wants to stick around for it.