It was a genuine shock when the Chicago Bears acquired D.J. Moore. Every expert believed GM Ryan Poles was focused solely on adding draft picks when he looked to trade #1 overall. However, he was adamant about trying to add a proven younger player that could help the team immediately. When the Carolina Panthers pushed for the top spot, Poles made it clear that Moore had to be part of the package. After some agonizing discussions, they reluctantly agreed. Just like that, Chicago had its new #1 receiver.
Some people don’t seem to understand how good Moore really is. They consider him one notch below the top tier of names in the NFL. His numbers are solid but not too special. It’s a classic case of not recognizing how absurd they really are because of lacking context. His list of quarterbacks since arriving in 2018 included a past his prime Cam Newton, career backup Kyle Allen, journeyman Teddy Bridgewater, and 1st round bust Sam Darnold. Yet he still managed to crack 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Adam Schein of NFL.com believes that his pairing with Justin Fields will finally allow him to thrive.
“Acquired by the Bears as part of the trade that gave the Panthers the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft, Moore gives Chicago exactly what it needed to foster Justin Fields’ growth as a passer: a legit WR1. Still just 26 years old entering Year 6, Moore is set to blow past last year’s production (63 catches for 888 yards and seven touchdowns). Put him down for at least 1,200 yards and 10 scores, both of which would be career bests.”
D.J. Moore would make history if that happened.
He’d be only the sixth receiver in Bears history to crack 1200 yards and the ninth to get ten or more touchdowns. That may sound like reaching after how Fields looked throwing the football at times last season. However, reports out of early practices suggest Schein isn’t crazy. Moore and his quarterback are already clicking. They’ve connected on several big plays against the starting Bears defense. Even Jaquan Brisker admitted their chemistry is way beyond anything people expected this early.
If Fields can get adequate protection from his offensive line, everything points to him finding D.J. Moore a lot. The two complement each other so well. The receiver is remarkably similar in style to Chris Olave, whom Fields dominated opponents with at Ohio State. If this prediction proves accurate, that trade may go down as one of the best in recent Bears history. It will become doubly so if 1st round pick Darnell Wright also becomes a top starter. It’s a rare, exciting time for the offense.
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