The DJ Moore problem Chicago has to face soon |
Dustin Riese
· · 2 hours ago
When the Bears elected to trade for DJ Moore three seasons ago, it marked the beginning of a franchise-altering trade for the organization. Not only were the Bears adding one of the better receivers in the game, capable of putting up 1,300-yard seasons, but Chicago also wound up earning Carolina's first-round pick the next season, which turned out to be the No. 1 overall selection.
Chicago then used that to draft Caleb Williams, who, despite the inconsistencies, appears to be the real deal as he could be the franchise quarterback the Bears have been longing for. Now in his third season with the Bears since the trade, Moore has not only seen his numbers plummet but also become a distraction, with him now mentioned as a possible trade candidate next offseason. The 6-0, 213-pound Moore is the perfect size for a wide receiver, as he possesses one of the best speed-to-size combos among wide receivers. There is a reason the Bears gave him such a lucrative extension, but now they could have buyer's remorse as his distractions this season are starting to create a rift in the locker room. Before arriving in Chicago, Moore spent five seasons with the Carolina Panthers, with three of those coming as 1000-yard seasons. That included his 1193-yard showing in 2020, as Moore had three consecutive seasons of at least 1125 yards from 2019-21. In the 2022 season, Moore took a step back, with 888 receiving yards, but he still put forth a career-high seven touchdowns. His overall consistency caught the attention of many teams, and for a Carolina team that needed a quarterback, the Bears traded with them in 2023, and the rest is history. Heading into the draft that season with the top pick, Chicago got rid of that pick to the Panthers in exchange for their first-round pick that same year and a slew of future picks. Moore was also the key piece of that deal, as he ultimately made the Bears win it, among others. Expected to make a massive impact for Justin Fields and the passing game in 2023, Moore not only showed up in a big way but also put together the best season of his career up to this point. His ability to stretch the field while also running some of the better routes in the game paid dividends, as he finished the season with nearly 1,400 yards and eight scores. One year later, Moore was at it again, only to fall short of the 1000-yard mark for the second time in three years. He still led the team with 966 yards and six scores, but you started to see the lack of chemistry between Williams and Moore in a big way. Things have really gone south this season, as Moore and Williams haven't been on the same page, leading to a massive drop in numbers. Barring a massive four-game stretch to end the season, you are looking at someone well on his way to post a career-worst season, which wasn't expected when the Bears initially traded for him. Up to this point, Moore has hauled in 39 catches for 498 yards and three scores. Although not easy, Moore still has an outside shot to reach the 1000-yard mark, but it would take him averaging 125 yards per game to reach that number. That doesn't seem realistic given how he has played this season, and after watching what happened on Sunday, you have to wonder if Moore's time with the Bears has run its course. There have been some horrible throws from Williams, which in turn makes life difficult for Moore when hauling in passes. While the lack of chemistry isn't ideal, his sideline reactions are even more concerning, as he has been throwing his helmet and complaining far more than before. A passionate player by trade, those types of reactions can't happen when you are looked at as the leader of a team, as things have gotten to the point where they are irreconcilable. At some point, the Bears are going to be forced to make a tough decision on Moore, and as much as this may sting, Chicago may be better off moving on from him in 2026 if things don't get better.
