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5 breakout stars to watch for Chicago Bears in 2021

By Mike Phillips

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 03: Darnell Mooney #11 of the Chicago Bears catches a first down pass against Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter in the game at Soldier Field on January 03, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 03: Darnell Mooney #11 of the Chicago Bears catches a first down pass against Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter in the game at Soldier Field on January 03, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

4. Chicago Bears breakout stars – WR Darnell Mooney

Generating offense was a challenge for the Bears in 2020 and part of it was due to shaky quarterback play from Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Another issue was the green nature of Chicago’s pass catchers, who were extremely young outside of Allen Robinson and Jimmy Graham.

One of the big surprises for the Bears was Darnell Mooney, a fifth-round pick out of Tulane. Mooney began his rookie season as a secondary option on Chicago’s depth chart but quickly established himself as a receiving threat down the stretch.

The performance that put Mooney on the map came in Week 17 when he was targeted 13 times against the Green Bay Packers and caught 11 of them for 93 yards. Mooney’s season totals were solid as well as he registered 61 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns.

That production is a solid base to grow from for Mooney, who could see his route tree expanded in his second season. If Mooney can emerge as another capable go-to-guy then the Bears’ offense will be much more dynamic than it was in 2020.

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