Remembering DJ Moore’s Time in Chicago
It actually happened: the DJ Moore era in Chicago is over.
The Bears traded the former 1st round pick to the Buffalo Bills, along with a 5th round pick, for the Bills’ 2026 2nd round pick.
Let’s recap Moore’s time in Chicago.
Big First Year
The Bears held the 1st overall pick in the 2023 draft, and as the old saying goes: The rest is history.
The Bears traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers for the #9 selection, which eventually ended up at #10, plus a 2024 1st-round pick, a 2023 2nd-round pick, and a 2025 2nd-round pick. Through some shuffling, the Bears ended up with an embarrassment of riches.
Caleb Williams, Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, and Luther Burden were all brought to Chicago through those selections, but the Bears also acquired Moore in the trade.
Moore lived up to his billing in that 1st year with 96 catches, over 1300 yards, and 8 touchdowns. While the Bears finished at 7-10, Moore was a definite bright spot in another lost season in Chicago.
2nd Year: Up and Down
There were high expectations for the 2024 Chicago Bears. With the additions of 1st round picks Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, along with Keenan Allen.
Moore was awarded an extension after his first year, a massive 4-year, $110 million deal with $ 82 million guaranteed. It was expected that Moore was gonna be one of Caleb Williams best targets, but that’s not how it turned out.
Of course, the story of the 2024 Chicago Bears was more of the same as what Chicago had seen over the prior 4 years. After the Hail Mary loss in week 8 against the Commanders, the Bears went on a 10-game losing streak.
Moore and Caleb Williams’ chemistry was off for a good chunk of the year as Moore’s numbers dipped to 966 yards on 96 receptions (most were on screens), 6 touchdowns, yards per game dropped from 80 to 56, and yards per target also dropped from 10 to 7.
The coaching malpractice that ensued basically sealed Matt Eberflus‘ fate, although some or most fans could have told you he was gonna be fired before the 3rd year under him even happened.
The Bears brought in Ben Johnson from the Lions to help right the sinking ship, and that’s exactly what happened.
Final Year: Electric
Ben Johnson was tabbed as the next “great offensive mind,” but Bears fans had already experienced Matt Nagy. After that first year of magic, especially after the defense got old fast and Vic Fangio left for Denver, the Bears could never capture that same success.
However, Johnson came as advertised in year 1, and he helped turn the Bears’ offense from a dreaded experience to a roller-coaster ride that never seems to stop.
Moore numbers didn’t reach the heights of year 1, but let’s not deny his impact on the offense. While Rome Odunze was the clear frontrunner early, and both rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden flashed their potential in the second half of the year, it was Moore who showed up and played every game.
Moore’s numbers won’t light up many people’s eyes as he caught 50 passes for 682 yards with 6 touchdowns. However, it is the big moments that people will hold onto the most.
In particular, nothing puts you in discussions quite like your play vs the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have run through the Bears over the last 25 years or so.
Week 16 was the biggest matchup in the rivalry, and the Bears delivered an all-time classic comeback win, capped by Moore beating out Keisean Nixon in overtime, which helped propel the Bears to the division lead and the eventual NFC North title.
The Packers revenge tour continued in the playoffs as Green Bay built up to a 21-3 lead before the Bears clawed their way back to take the lead off of… You guessed it… DJ Moore Touchdown.
How I’ll Remember DJ Moore
First and foremost, the Bears did a great job finding a valuable asset and also getting Moore to a place where he can continue to compete with the best.
Josh Allen desperately needed weapons heading into the 2026 season, with only Khalil Shakir as the headliner. The Bills get a capable WR 1, and the Bears can now turn their focus to other areas of their roster.
What I will remember about the DJ Moore era is the incredible highlights late last year, as well as all the fun jokes he made in his interviews. It is a shame that he dealt with Matt Eberflus for his first two years, but I’m sure last year made up for all that in a big way.
Salute to you, DJ Moore, you will be a Chicago Bears legend for those moments against Green Bay.
Oh yeah, and it’s always F the Packers.
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Categorized:Bears News Unique Column