Wide receiver DJ Moore represents the Chicago Bears’ biggest offseason addition and the most significant investment the team has made in Justin Fields since making him their first-round pick in 2021.
Moore gives Fields a true go-to-guy for the first time in his career, but for the duo to connect on big plays later this fall, they must build chemistry now.
The Fields-Moore connection was on display at OTAs this week, with the pair clicking on the biggest highlight of the three days of practices.
“It was a double move,” Moore said Tuesday. “Beat the guy. Just played pitch and catch after that.”
Fields and Moore have worked to get on the same page since the blockbuster trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers for Moore and a bounty of draft picks.
“I ask a lot of questions,” Moore said. “He comes to me to see what I am thinking, and I go to him to see what he’s thinking. So that’s a lot of back and forth.”
Making big plays in OTAs is great, but there’s still a lot of work to be done between now and the regular season. Moore is a pro’s pro, and he knows how important minor details are in making significant plays.
“Understanding the quarterback’s footwork on different plays and just being in the right spot when he comes back,” Moore said. “If I’m on the backside, just knowing that ‘hey, I’m the backside read.’ Or if I am on the front side, understanding his footwork for the front side, just honing in on that.”
It also helps when a wide receiver makes a positive early impression on his quarterback. That’s what Moore’s done with Fields.
“DJ brings great talent to this team,” Fields said. “His personality, it fits in well with everybody really from the first day he got here. He’s a hard worker, a great player. Just the way he acts around the guys, he just fits in really well with our team. I’m definitely excited about that.”
Aside from Fields, Chicago Bears fans are most excited to watch the impact DJ Moore makes on the offense this season. And after the pair proved capable of big plays during their first on-field session together, that excitement is more than justified.
