Analyst Explains Why D.J. Moore Acquisition Is Way Bigger Than You Think

It was a surprise when the Chicago Bears secured D.J. Moore in their blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers. While everybody expected the team to deal the #1 pick, most believed it would be purely for draft selections in return, as is the case with most agreements. Ryan Poles thought differently. He knew the Panthers wanted to get a deal done quickly before other teams got more serious about it. So the Bears GM made it clear a quality player would have to be included. Carolina had three options: Brian Burns, Derrick Morgan, or Moore. After some difficult discussions, they went with the latter.

Poles was thrilled. He’d acquired what he felt was a legitimate go-to target for quarterback Justin Fields. Together with an improved offensive line, the passing offense has a chance to take a big step forward in 2023. Dan Durkin of The Athletic decided to dig into the tape on his All-22 Review channel for YouTube to see if Moore was worth the hype. He quickly realized that the answer was not only yes, but that there is legitimate evidence to suggest the young receiver hasn’t even peaked yet.

D.J. Moore may finally have the quarterback he needs.

That may sound unusual, considering Fields’ inconsistency over the past two seasons. However, sometimes it’s about fit more than talent. One thing about Moore’s skillset is it resembles the type of receiver the Bears quarterback thrived with at Ohio State. Fields loves the sharp route runners that can be instant threats down the field. Think Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. In hindsight, it never should’ve been a surprise that the two clicked immediately during OTAs and veteran minicamps.

One thing that is immediately apparent with D.J. Moore is he stresses defenses. His ability to accelerate and create space forces opponents to roll more coverages in his direction, trying to limit the number of big plays he produces. While that can work, it comes at a cost. Rolling those coverages means there will be one-on-one opportunities for others on the field. This is the benefit of having a true #1 wide receiver. Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and Cole Kmet should be thrilled by his arrival as much as Fields is.