If anybody desires to get contract extensions for the Bears earlier than subsequent season, it needs to be large receiver Darnell Mooney and tight finish Cole Kmet.
Jaylon Johnson may be in for one, in addition to Chase Claypool. Bears GM Ryan Poles appeared to need to take a wait-and-see perspective when speaking about Claypool.
All of those gamers are getting into the ultimate years of their rookie contracts in 2023.
First, the Bears should determine whether or not to signal David Montgomery, who wants a brand new contract earlier than free company in March.
From the way in which the Poles have talked about Mooney, nonetheless, an extension might change into a precedence after he rehabbed a season-ending ankle damage.
“I like it greater than I did after I first walked within the door,” Poles stated. “I believe he’s a particular human being, initially, and an excellent footballer.”
Mooney did not attain the totals in his first two years as a result of he ended up on the bench and had surgical procedure.
He’s anticipated to return to Halas Corridor someday within the spring, although coach Matt Eberflus and the Poles have been just a little unclear on whether or not meaning energy and conditioning in April or minicamp in June.
“I do not know if I’ve the specifics,” the Poles stated. “I do know he is doing very well. It is all optimistic. He is moving into the best route.”
Mooney’s potential to get his ankle again to 100 p.c would not look like a difficulty.
“He is in rehab,” Polonezi stated. “So he is in temper. “He is additionally a man, that in adversity he is a man who says ‘it’s what it’s.’ I’ll management what I can management and you recognize I’ll come again pretty much as good if not higher than I used to be earlier than.
“So it is all optimistic.”
Mooney struggled early when the Bears had been nonetheless making an attempt to determine their new offense.
Nonetheless, from Weeks Four-11, Mooney produced at a greater clip than his profession averages.
Over two seasons, he averaged Four.three catches for 51.1 yards per recreation in his first two seasons and in that span from Weeks Four-11, Mooney averaged Four.5 catches and 58.2 yards per recreation.
The damage occurred throughout a run whereas being blown from behind whereas blocking.
Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven