The Chicago Bears 2022 training camp kicks off later next month. It’ll be an exciting one, too. The Bears roster has undergone a significant makeover in general manager Ryan Poles’ first offseason, as he’s added a blend of rookies and veterans who will compete for starting jobs on both sides of the ball. With a new coaching staff in charge of the depth chart, Chicago will be a meritocracy in 2022.
In this series on Bears Talk, we’ll countdown the days until training camp with player spotlights. Next up: wide receiver David Moore.
Background
David Moore (6-1, 219 pounds, 4.43 40-yard dash) entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2017 NFL draft. He enjoyed a productive small-school college career at East Central University (Oklahoma) where he set school records with 2,776 career receiving yards and 35 career touchdown catches.
Moore got off to a hot start in the NFL. He set career-highs in receptions and yards in his second season in the league with 53 catches, 445 yards, and five touchdowns. Moore flashed legitimate playmaking ability and looked like he earned a role in the Seahawks’ long-term plans on offense. He totaled 718 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2019 and 2020 seasons combined and signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
Moore’s time with Carolina didn’t last long. He was released before the 2021 season and bounced between the Denver Broncos’ and Green Bay Packers’ practice squads last year.
David Moore 2022 Outlook
David Moore joins a crowded Chicago Bears wide receiver room that’s without a clear starter after Darnell Mooney. Byron Pringle signed in free agency to be Chicago’s WR2. Velus Jones Jr., the Bears’ third-round pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, will likely be the first man up in the slot. Equanimeous St. Brown signed in free agency too, and along with Moore, will compete with veterans Tajae Sharpe and Dante Pettis for a roster spot. Dazz Newsome, a sixth-round pick in 2021, could emerge in training camp as well.
Moore’s roster status felt more secure prior to the Sharpe and Pettis signings last month. While neither player is a star, both have similar resumes to Moore. It’s unlikely the Bears will keep more than six wideouts in 2022, so the training camp competition will be fierce.
Moore, however, is a legitimate contender for starter’s reps. He’s that talented. His career, like many players before him, has been derailed because of a bad decision to sign with the Panthers in 2021. Carolina simply wasn’t a good fit for him. His skill set is best utilized by a quarterback who can improvise and keep plays alive outside of structure. That’s why he did well with Russell Wilson and it’s why he projects favorably with Justin Fields.
If I had to wager on whether David Moore will make the Bears’ final roster, I’d bet the affirmative. At 27 years old, his opportunity with Chicago likely represents his last chance to break through. He has enough talent to do it, and reps in the Bears’ offense are there for the taking. Moore will be a factor in Chicago in 2022.
Bryan is the founder and managing editor of Bears Talk. His previous stops include Bears coverage for NBC Sports Chicago and USA Today. His NFL Draft and Bears coverage has also been featured on The Draft Network.
