Bears’ high hopes at wide receiver look shaky as injuries interrupt progress

The Bears, who are as starved for firepower at wide receiver as any team in the NFL, could have the best crew of receivers they’ve had in years.

“Could” is the key word.

Before imagining what heights the passing attack might reach with DJ Moore, Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney, and how they might help launch quarterback Justin Fields to stardom, the Bears need to assess exactly what’s going on with training camp starting next month.

When they practiced Tuesday as part of mandatory minicamp, Moore was the only one of the aforementioned three in action. Mooney was nowhere to be seen as he continues working through rehab on his ankle. (Coach Matt Eberflus curiously refuses to give any details or updates on his progress). And Claypool watched from the sideline in sweats because he’s “dealing with a few things,” according to Eberflus.

Both of those situations are concerning, even in June.

Mooney was trying to prove himself as a top-tier receiver when he got hurt in Week 12 last season. He finished with just 493 yards and two touchdowns in a frustrating follow-up to a 1,000-yard season in 2021.

The intrigue surrounding his rehab is fueled mostly by the fact that Eberflus keeps dodging questions about it. Unless something is actually wrong, he’d be best served to be straightforward, especially when there’s no competitive advantage in staying quiet three months from the season opener.

Instead, after explaining Tuesday that there’s a path from running in the pool to running on an anti-gravity treadmill to running on the field itself, Eberflus wouldn’t say what stage Mooney is currently in as he works separately from the rest of the team.

“I’ll just tell you this: He’s on track where he’s supposed to be,” Eberflus said.

He did say he “absolutely” expects Mooney back when training camp opens, so at least that’s something.

Eberflus also has given little information about Claypool, whose injury is yet another frustration since the Bears traded for him last season. General manager Ryan Poles sent a second-round pick to the Steelers, which turned out to be No. 32 overall this spring, and Claypool in return had 14 catches in seven games. He would be up for a contract extension this offseason, but Poles already has said the Bears “need to see more” before he’s willing to have that conversation.

Through that lens, the trade hasn’t gone quite like the Bears expected when they thought they were landing a long-term pillar for their offense.

Eberflus tried to calm any fretting, saying Claypool’s injuries are “just a few minor things” and there’s plenty of time to get ready for camp. But one of the Bears’ main arguments that Claypool will be better this season was that he’d get so much work in with Fields, and that hasn’t been happening

“Any time that you’re not on the grass, it’s not as good,” Eberflus said. “He started off getting some work, and then he had some setbacks. He’s been working mentally into that. But again, it’s not the same.

“Training camp will be big for [Mooney and Claypool]. The other guys do have a head start because they’ve been here and they’ve done it, [but] those guys will pick it up. Those guys are both smart.”

At least the Bears have Moore. Five seasons of averaging more than 1,000 yards with the quarterback-challenged Panthers is convincing, and teammates have raved about him throughout the spring.

“It’s something that we haven’t had here in a long time,” defensive tackle Justin Jones said. “He’s somebody who can get open, who can run every route on the route tree. He can beat man, press, any type of coverage you throw at him. He’s running right by guys.”

But Moore alone won’t be enough. The Bears desperately need Mooney and Claypool at full capacity, and they can’t be sure of that at the moment.