Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore hopes to revive the team’s offense this season, and needless to say, he made an impression on the coaching staff and new teammates during practices at Halas Hall. .
Moore, acquired by the Bears in the blockbuster trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, is optimistic about his ability to make a big impact on his new team, and staff. of coaches agrees.
“The first thing I (noticing) is the speed,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “I just saw this yesterday, and I was like ‘wow.’ There’s different equipment there, you know? It was exciting to see yesterday.
Eberflus says the catcher, who racked up 50+ catches in each of his first five NFL seasons, combines raw physical ability with stellar technique.
“It’s rare when you have a guy who can go down the road and have the road discipline he has and the football IQ he has, and then also that speed and talent he has,” he said. he declared.
Quarterback Justin Fields, hoping to progress in his third year in the NFL, is thrilled to have a new offensive weapon to work with.
“People were blowing up my phone about the swapped guy,” he said. “DJ brings great talent to this team, and his personality fits in well with everyone from the first day he arrived here. He’s a hard worker and his personality, just the way he acts, he’s s fit well into the team.
Fields says he anticipates he’ll get to know Moore better through summer practices and training camps, focusing on reading his body language and learning where he can place the ball when the receiver runs. routes.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the Bears after a successful stint with the Buffalo Bills, says he’s a longtime fan of Moore, who was drafted the same year.
“I had the pleasure of watching it for a while,” he said. “Seeing the good things he’s done in Carolina makes me happy to know he’s on our team. Seeing those spectacular plays and big catches, and when a play needs to be done, having a guy who can do it. means a lot to our team. He’s a guy who makes you excited for what’s to come.
In 80 career games, Moore has 364 catches for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s started all 17 games in each of the past two seasons, with a career-high 63 catches for 888 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2022 campaign.
The Bears have added a group of offensive weapons to help Fields this season, with Moore the obvious headliner. Tight end Robert Tonyan also signed with the club, and the Bears drafted wide receiver Tyler Scott from Cincinnati and running back Roschon Johnson from Texas.
They also signed former Carolina running back D’Onta Freeman, who rushed for 914 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games last season.
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