The Chicago Bears offense took a major step forward last week when GM Ryan Poles traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a slew of draft picks and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Moore, 25, is regarded as one of the NFL’s best playmaking wide receivers. He’ll provide Justin Fields with a three-level weapon that, until now, he hasn’t had at his disposal in Chicago.
“I’m excited to add a guy like DJ to our offense,” Fields said via the Bears’ website. “He’s proven he can be an explosive playmaker in this league, and I look forward to getting to work with him and the rest of our receivers so we can take the next step as an offense. I’ve gotten to know him a little bit and I know he’s ready to put the work in to help our team win. I can’t wait to get our whole group on the field together and see how we can put it all together.”
DJ Moore spent most of his career catching passes from middling quarterbacks in Carolina. He still produced three-straight seasons of more than 1,100 yards (2019-2021) before regressing to 888 yards in 2022. His stats should go way up now that he’ll be Fields’ go-to-guy.
“I’m excited to add DJ to our room,” Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney said. “Anytime we can add a playmaker to our offense, it makes us all better, and I can’t wait to get to work with him. We all get a full offseason in this scheme and another year to build on our chemistry with Justin, so I think the sky’s the limit for our offense.”
DJ Moore joins Mooney and Chase Claypool in the starting trio of wideouts for Justin Fields in what’s suddenly become one of the NFL’s more exciting young passing offenses.
The Bears could still add more weapons on offense in free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, but even if Poles focuses his remaining assets elsewhere, the addition of Moore alone is a job well done.
