It is not uncommon to see players bet on themselves, which is what wide receiver Darnell Mooney did in 2023. However, the gamble does not always work as injuries and underachieving could be the difference in a contract year between millions of dollars. Brad Briggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that Mooney turned down a multi-year extension before the 2023 season.
“There’s a cautionary tale here for Mooney as he turned down an extension offer from the Bears before last season started. As I understand it, Mooney had a three-year deal worth more than $10 million annually on the table.”
This could wind up costing him as Spotrac is projecting Darnell Mooney to make $10.4 million annually, a slight raise from the reported extension offer. However, he struggled last season as he recorded just 31 receptions on 61 targets for 414 yards (13.4 yards per catch) with one receiving touchdown.
With the lack of top-tier wide receivers entering the free agent market as Mike Evans re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and both Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins are expected to be franchise tagged by their respective teams. it certainly is possible that Mooney can make more money than $10 million annually.
Did Darnell Mooney make the right decision by declining the extension?
Betting on yourself comes with a risk and a down 2023 season unfortunately was in the cards for Darnell Mooney. However, the lack of elite wide receivers hitting the free agent market makes it more interesting about his future and the contract he can demand.
The only wide receivers clearly with more upside and production that are expected to be unrestricted free agents are Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown. Other than those two, the remainder of the available players at the position are in the same level as Mooney now.
With teams looking to bolster their wide receiver room, Darnell Mooney should be able to land with a similar deal to what the Chicago Bears reportedly offered him.
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