DJ Moore is leaving the Carolina Panthers just like how he joined them—with grace and gratitude.
On Friday night, the 25-year-old wide receiver was traded—in a sudden and sizable move—to the Chicago Bears. Moore—along with 2023’s ninth overall pick, 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-rounder and a 2025 second-rounder—will be off to the Windy City in exchange for the coveted first overall selection.
At first, Moore was shocked (just like everyone else)—tweeting the following right after the news broke . . .
😱😱
— DJ Moore💫 (@idjmoore) March 10, 2023
Then, when the dust settled a bit, he put some words together on Sunday.
I am forever grateful for the Carolina Panthers Organization for making my Dream come true by drafting me in ‘18. I want to Thank all of the people from top down who have made the start of this journey special for me in Carolina
Thank You & Much Love ❤️✌🏽💫 pic.twitter.com/Eux0Xq03M7— DJ Moore💫 (@idjmoore) March 12, 2023
Moore was taken in the first round of the 2018 draft—at the 24th pick, to be exact—by the Panthers. He’s since spent each of his five NFL seasons in Carolina.
Over that time, the kid from Philly reeled in 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns. He leaves the Panthers as the fourth-leading receiver in franchise history—behind only Steve Smith Sr., Muhsin Muhammad and Greg Olsen.