DJ Moore can't wait to put on a Bears uniform for the first time.
Acquired in a blockbuster trade that became official Wednesday with the start of the new league year, the star receiver is thrilled to join an ascending young team.
"It's going to be real special," Moore told ChicagoBears.com. "I'm glad to be a part of the groundwork that's being laid. And to just build that foundation of winning, it's going to be something special."
The Bears agreed to acquire Moore and four draft picks from the Panthers last Friday in exchange for the No. 1 choice in the draft. The selections they acquired are in the first (No. 9) and second (No. 61) rounds this year, the first round in 2024 and the second round in 2025.
"Having the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft gave us a tremendous opportunity to take steps forward this season and in our plan of building long-term," said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. "We are excited about the additional picks acquired, including staying in the top 10 selections this year, but also the addition of a proven and dynamic playmaker in DJ Moore. We had multiple aggressive offers to consider, but in the end it felt right for both teams in what Panthers GM Scott Fitterer presented and it keeps us in an area of this year's draft that we really like."
The Bears reportedly insisted that Moore had to be included in the deal.
"It makes me feel special," said the veteran receiver. "When a team does that—they just want one specific player—that means a lot. It hit home that I'm really welcome here."
“I’m glad to be a part of the groundwork that’s being laid. And to just build that foundation of winning, it’s going to be something special.” DJ Moore
Moore has felt that love from fired up Bears fans on social media as well as from some of his new teammates. Over the last few days, he has dined with quarterback Justin Fields and receiver Darnell Mooney and met receiver Chase Claypool, left tackle Braxton Jones and others at Halas Hall.
Moore arrives in Chicago after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Panthers. Selected by Carolina with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2018 draft out of Maryland, he has appeared in 80 games with 73 starts and caught 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 210-pounder described himself as a "quiet, hardworking, outgoing, down-to-earth teammate just ready to make everybody around me better."
Moore did that in Carolina, topping 1,100 yards in three straight seasons—with 1,175 in 2019, 1,193 in 2020 and 1,157 in 2021. Last year he had 63 receptions for 888 yards and seven TDs for a Panthers offense that had three quarterbacks all start at least five games: Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
Take a look at new Bears receiver DJ Moore in action. In 80 games with the Panthers, Moore has caught 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 6-0, 210-pounder has also topped 1,100 yards receiving in three straight seasons.
"I'm excited to add a guy like DJ to our offense," Fields said. "He's proven he can be an explosive playmaker in this league, and I look forward to getting to work with him and the rest of our receivers so we can take the next step as an offense. I've gotten to know him a little bit and I know he's ready to put the work in to help our team win. I can't wait to get our whole group on the field together and see how we can put it all together."
Moore joins a receiving corps that also includes Mooney, Claypool, Velus Jones Jr. and Equanimeous St. Brown.
"I'm excited to add DJ to our room," Mooney said. "Anytime we can add a playmaker to our offense, it makes us all better, and I can't wait to get to work with him. We all get a full offseason in this scheme and another year to build on our chemistry with Justin, so I think the sky's the limit for our offense."
