Wide receiver DJ Moore has been a bright and shining light in a Chicago Bears season that has been mostly gloomy and, at times, dreadful.
The talented 6-year veteran now finds himself forced to dip his big toe into the gloom as he waits to see what the future holds for quarterback Justin Fields.
Chicago Bears at the Crossroads with Justin Fields
Big decisions about the future of the team and, specifically, the future of Fields with the team will have to be made between now and the 2024 draft. Moore, however, is making it clear that he’s more than fine with the decision to hold on to Fields and continue building around him.
At Halas Hall on Thursday, he addressed the situation when asked by reporters.
“I didn’t know that,” Moore said when told of Fields’ positive attitude and ‘I’ll be fine’ attitude about possibly losing his starting spot in Chicago. “If he feels that way, there’s not much you can do but go out there and be yourself, and he’s a dynamic player, dynamic quarterback.” We need him here. I’ve had a fantastic year with him, so that should speak for itself. “At the end of the day, just leave what they do upstairs, upstairs.”
He would then go on to talk about his feelings about Fields’ development as a player.
“The big thing, from Year 1 and 2, he made big strides is what I’m hearing and what I’m seeing out there with his passes, his decision making,” Moore said. “Year 3 is probably the most critical year. I know it was for me. I took the jump. I had whatever you want to say, and it was like that. For him, he’s young, so he’s gonna still continue to grow and be better.”
The Beginning of the End for Justin Fields with The Chicago Bears?
The 26-year-old Moore came to the Bears in the off season, in a mega-haul from the Carolina Panthers which saw the Bears send over their no. 1 pick in the 2023 draft in exchange for Moore, the Panthers’ ninth overall pick, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025.
Ironically, it could be this deal that ends Fields’ 3-year run with the Bears as the team will have the option of selecting blue chip quarterback prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye with their first round pick from the Panthers this coming draft.
Moore is a pro’s pro, but he’s done well working with Fields and one can see where he’d like to see the team stay put when it comes to the quarterback position.
DJ Moore and Justin Fields Make a Good Team
Moore and Fields have built a tremendous rapport with one another since the off season and the chemistry has shown in their field play. Through 12 games, Moore has 1,003 receiving yards, making him only the 12th receiver in Bears history to reach 1,000 yards. He’s also currently ranked ninth in the league in receiving yards and is on a pace to finish the season with more than 1,400 yards.
In the team’s 12-10 victory over the Vikings on Nov. 27, Fields connected with Moore for a 36-yard completion late in the game that led to a game-winning field goal by Cairo Santos. One could easily see that as a possible turning of the tide moment in the development of Justin Fields and, maybe, a testament to the fact that if you surround him with the right players, things could go increasingly well.
