DJ Moore Makes It All Work Regardless

When the Bears completed their last minicamp practice they finished up in the red zone but receiver DJ Moore wasn't on the field with the starters.

This was pointed out and concerns were expressed to coach Matt Eberflus afterward by the media.

"Uh, no. Nothing to it," Eberflus said.

Concern over an injury or some other issue was valid considering what Moore is supposed to mean to the team and to quarterback Justin Fields' development.

Moore is about as key of a cog as the team has, besides Fields himself. The two have developed a rapid passing connection.

"I mean it did come on quickly," Fields said. "I didn't really expect anything because it's different for each guy but I feel like with DJ his body language is pretty easy to read. Really, early on we communicated on how we want each route ran and stuff like that."

This is no surprise because Moore throughout his career has been able to produce high numbers despite relatively little work with any particular quarterback, regardless of the passer's competence level. The best passer he has worked with before Fields was either Cam Newton at the end of his productive years, or Teddy Bridgewater.

Last year Moore did have 63 catches and 888 yards, his worst output since his rookie year, and a career-worst catch percentage of 53.4%. But Moore had QB Sam Darnold start six games, Baker Mayfield start six games and current Bears backup PJ Walker start five.

It's difficult to build a passing rapport with anyone based on six games, but he not only managed the most targets but no other player on the team came within 29 targets and no other wide receiver had more than 28 targets.

"I think that speaks volumes for him to adjust to whoever is in the game," receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said. "He just continues to be a pro, go out and do his job. There's a lot of smart coaches in the league. Whichever quarterback is in the game, they'll gameplan to get whoever they want to get the ball, and that's what those coaches have done based on the quarterback they had in the game.

"I think it’s a credit to him to go out there and make those plays, continue to get open, continue to get in position to be open and make plays when the ball is thrown to him."

There is a popular theory that having Moore will make the passing game all Fields and Moore with no room left for Darnell Mooney or Chase Claypool. Moore doesn't need to operate as the chief operating receiver. He can share the wealth.

In 2021 he had a whopping 163 targets for 93 receptions and 1,157 yards but the Panthers still found 110 targets for the receiver formerly known as Robbie Anderson and now known as Chosen Anderson. And that was with Sam Darnold starting 11 games and Cam Newton five.

In 2020, he played in a receiver group that had three players with 97 targets or more. That was in Teddy Bridgewater's only Panthers season.

In 2019 he was on a team with four players who had 82 targets or more and was No. 1 among the team's wide receivers.

Sure, this is the first time Moore has been the one who is moving locations rather than having new receivers come in to work around him but he hasn't let this deter him, either. Even players on the defensive side of the ball have noticed this.

"He has been somebody who can get open, who can run every route on the route tree," defensive tackle Justin Jones said. "He can beat man, press, any type of coverage you throw at him—double teams. He's running right by guys, hitting them with double moves."

DJ Moore at a Glance

Vitals: 6-foot, 210 pounds, sixth season.

Career: 364 recetions on 616 targets, 5,201 yards, 21 TDs, 14.3 yards per catch and a 59.1 catch percentage.

2022: Made 63 catches on 118 targets for 888 yards, 7 TDs and a 14.1-yard average. He also ran 10 times for 53 yards.

The Number: 2. Moore has missed only two games in five seasons and none since 2020.

2023 FanNation Projection: 74 receptions, 1,136 yards, 128 targets, 13.3 yards per catch, 7 TDs, 15.3 ypc, catch percentage 57.8.

Michael Fabiano's SI Fantasy Ranking: No. 27 among all wide receivers.

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