The team with the worst record in the NFL this past season also had big issues throwing the football. However, there's Moore odd news for the Chicago Bears.
This past season, the Chicago Bears closed a forgettable 2022 with 10 straight losses and finished with an NFL-worst 3-14 record. The team earned the first overall pick in this past April's draft.
However, general manager Ryan Poles wound up dealing the choice to the Carolina Panthers. The Bears moved down to the ninth spot but also obtained a second-round pick in 2023, a first-round selection in 2024, and a second-round choice in 2025.
Bears have a new dynamic duo with Justin Fields, D.J. Moore
Somewhat lost in the shuffle was the fact that Matt Eberflus' team wound up acquiring wide receiver D.J. Moore in the deal as well. In five NFL campaigns, the 24th overall pick in the 2018 draft has totaled 364 catches for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The former University of Maryland standout has totaled 1,000-plus receiving yards in three of those five seasons. This past season, he finished with 63 grabs for 888 yards and had seven of the Panthers' 16 receiving touchdowns.
More has totaled at least 55 receptions in each of his NFL campaigns. That's good news for a Chicago offense that finished dead last in the league in passing yards per game in 2022. Quarterback Justin Fields is hoping to take another step forward when it comes to throwing the ball. He hit on 60.4 percent of his passes in 2022, good for 17 scores.
The young signal-caller is also hoping to spend a little more time in the pocket. He finished with an impressive 1,143 yards rushing and eight scores. However, he was also sacked 55 times and put the ball on the ground 16 times (losing two of those fumbles).
Early in training camp, there were lots of positives when it came to Fields and his newest target.
This past season, tight end Cole Kmet (who just signed a new contract extension) led the Bears in catches (50), receiving yards (544) and touchdown grabs (7). As far as the team's top wide receiver, Darnell Mooney finished with 40 receptions for 493 yards and two TDs.
If Moore has an "average" season for him, he should help stretch the field in a big way. It appears he and Fields are off to a good start when it comes to rapport.