The Chicago Bears’ biggest offseason addition has been wide receiver DJ Moore, who was acquired in the trade of the No. 1 pick and gives quarterback Justin Fields a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver.
Moore’s resume speaks for itself: three 1,000-yard seasons with the Carolina Panthers, despite questionable quarterback play. He’s a true playmaker for a Chicago offense that needs one to jumpstart the passing game.
Someone who knows Moore well is former Bears tight end Greg Olsen, who played with Moore in Carolina from 2018-19. Olsen had nothing but praise for Moore, and it sounds like Chicago got a great one.
“DJ is one of the best dudes that I ever played with,” Olsen said on ESPN 1000’s Waddle and Silvy. “He doesn’t have a lot to say. He’s not a real flashy guy. He’s not out there trying to make a name. But you talk about a guy who, when the lights go on, is a competitor the way he fights with the ball in his hand.”
As a rookie, Moore made an immediate impression on Olsen with his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands, and that success translated on the field.
“From the first day we saw him as a rookie when we drafted him, he almost is like part wide receiver, part running back,” Olsen said. “The way he runs with the ball, he’s got a low center of gravity, he’s very strong with the ball in his hand. He looks like a running back when he’s running with the ball, which is not the norm. You know, most receivers are not really looking for contact. They’re not really looking to play physical with the ball in their hand. They do most of their damage before. So DJ is a little different in that regard.”
Moore comes to the Bears as Fields’ top weapon in a passing game that was the worst in the NFL last season. With Moore established as WR1, it should allow others like Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool to thrive. Likewise, Moore should benefit from having a consistent quarterback in Fields.
