Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has received rave reviews throughout the team's offseason workouts. Whether it's head coach Matt Eberflus praising his work ethic, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy excited about his improved mechanics, or defensive coordinator Alan Williams reiterating all of the above, Fields has been the biggest winner of the Bears' offseason.
It helps that he's throwing to a legitimate No. 1 receiver in practices, too.
DJ Moore, the prize acquisition who came to Chicago via the trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft to the Carolina Panthers, has been the Robin to Fields' Batman at OTAs. Despite being so early in their quarterback-receiver relationship, they already have quite the rapport.
“It looks like they’ve got that chemistry going very fast — earlier than I expected," Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said Wednesday. "They look like they’re best friends. Justin’s definitely throwing him the ball. Justin looks good. He’s going through his progressions. He’s looking very smooth, making good decisions out there and looking like the best quarterback in the NFL.
"I thought that last year, but this year is different. [Fields] looks different, and him and [Moore] — you’re gonna see. You will see.”
Moore had 63 catches for 888 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. His yards and receptions were the lowest totals since his rookie season, but that's what happens when you're forced to catch passes from Sam Darnold.
Pro Football Focus ranked DJ Moore the 16th-best receiver in the NFL entering the 2023 season. It's further proof of his highly regarded playmaking ability, even after a down year.
"The Chicago Bears securing Moore's services as part of their trade out of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft was a real coup," PFF's Sam Monson wrote. "He isn’t coming off a great year of production, but prior to last season Moore had three straight years of 1,100-plus receiving yards and is still averaging 1.94 yards per route run for his career despite some ugly quarterback situations. Moore can be the elite target Justin Fields has not yet had in the NFL."
Fields, on the other hand, nearly broke the NFL's single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback in 2022. And while building an offense around your quarterback's rushing ability isn't the best long-term strategy for success, the fact Fields can be a nuclear weapon whenever he touches the ball makes his upside limitless.
The Bears have done their part to ensure Fields' upside is reached, especially as a passer. The 2023 offseason has been focused on building around him in free agency and the draft. GM Ryan Poles has given him the support he needs at the skill positions and along the offensive line. Now, it's up to Fields to take full advantage of DJ Moore and the rest of his weapons.
“It is a big difference,” Brisker said. “Because he has a receiver out there he wants and that he knows he can trust and throw it to. I won’t say anything bad from last year, but just compared to last year, [Fields] just looks different. It’s a different energy."