Tag: DJ Moore

Bears WR DJ Moore says he ‘put a dagger’ in Panthers’ heart

Forget the blood and guts. Bears WR DJ Moore was aiming for the Panthers’ heart in Week 5.

Turns out DJ Moore wasn’t after the blood and guts of the Carolina Panthers. He was after their heart.

This past Sunday, the 27-year-old wideout exacted some revenge on his former team. Moore caught five passes for a season-high 105 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Chicago Bears to a dominant 36-10 win over the Panthers.

Moore, who was traded by Carolina in the spring of 2023, was asked how the victory felt that Sunday afternoon.

“It was just another game,” he told reporters. “But, I mean, it’s the Panthers so you can add whatever you want on to it—revenge game, anything like that. But it was really a special game today to get us all going on offense.”

Well, Moore was a bit more pointed with his words on Wednesday.

While getting adjusted for the Bears’ London matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was once again asked about the “revenge” game.

“It felt amazing,” Moore replied. “Just put a dagger in they heart.”

Ouch, DJ. Ouch.

Some, however, may say the Panthers did exactly that to Moore over a year ago—when they shipped him off to Chicago in sudden and stunning fashion. The franchise’s fourth all-time leading receiver was shockingly packaged with four draft picks in exchange for top selection of the 2023 draft.

Now, the favor has been returned.

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Bears WR DJ Moore is asked about significance of beating Panthers in Week 5

Bears WR DJ Moore was asked if Sunday’s win over the Panthers meant a little more to him.

Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore couldn’t help but admit that Sunday was extra special for him.

The former Carolina Panther played a huge part in sending his ex-employer to their fourth loss of the season this afternoon. Moore recorded five receptions for a season-high 105 yards and two touchdowns in the 36-10 Bears triumph.

So of course he was asked if the sparkling Week 5 performance meant a bit more.

“It was just another game,” Moore replied. “But, I mean, it’s the Panthers so you can add whatever you want on to it—revenge game, anything like that. But it was really a special game today to get us all going on offense.”

Moore was traded to Chicago as part of Carolina’s blitz for the 2023 draft’s No. 1 overall pick over 18 months ago. The Panthers sent their franchise’s fourth-leading receiver to the Bears along with four high-end draft picks.

One of those picks turned out to be quarterback Caleb Williams, who was taken—ironically enough—with the No. 1 overall selection in 2024. Williams also shined on the day, throwing for 304 yards.

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Bears WR DJ Moore delivers some revenge with long TD catch vs. Panthers

Bears WR DJ Moore might be seeking some revenge against the Panthers on Sunday.

Are we starting to see the blood and guts again?

The Carolina Panthers felt the wrath of an old friend on Sunday, when Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore found the end zone on a long touchdown in the first quarter of their Week 5 matchup.

Moore, of course, was traded by the Panthers to the Bears in March of 2023. The biggest swap in franchise history saw the team’s fourth all-time leading receiver shipped off to Chicago as part of a massive haul for that year’s No. 1 overall pick.

Along with Moore came four draft picks—one of which turned out to be the guy who just threw him that touchdown pass.

This is Moore’s second game against the Panthers since the deal went down. His first, a 16-13 Bears win, saw him go for 58 yards on five receptions.

And given that his first catch of today’s outing already resulted in 34 yards, we’re willing to bet he eclipses that mark.

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Bears GM Ryan Poles reveals hardships of being rejected by Panthers in 2021

Bears GM Ryan Poles was passed up by the Panthers in 2021. He recently called it one of the hardest moments he’s had to deal with.

If you’re a Carolina Panthers fan who has read the title of this post and still clicked into it, then perhaps you’re a glutton for punishment. But if that’s not your thing, you may want to avert your eyes and ears.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was featured on the latest episode of the Excellent Leadership Podcast, hosted by Chad Biagini. While discussing Poles’ journey in the NFL, Biagini asked the 38-year-old about facing rejection on the path to his current position.

Poles referred back to 2021, when he was actually a top candidate for Carolina’s general manager job. The Panthers, obviously, went in another direction—a decision that stung Poles quite a bit . . .

Carolina, instead, opted for Seattle Seahawks vice president of football operations Scott Fitterer. Poles, the executive director of player personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs at the time, would eventually be hired by Chicago.

And, ironically enough, Poles and Fitterer would go on to do some heavy business down the line.

In May of 2023, Poles and the Bears traded away that year’s No. 1 overall pick to Fitterer and the Panthers in exchange for a king’s ransom. The Panthers—for what became the draft rights to Alabama quarterback Bryce Young—shipped off two first-round picks, two second-round picks and star wideout DJ Moore.

The deal has proved to be a massive boon to the Bears, one of the league’s fastest-rising teams. Chicago got a career year out of Moore in 2023, a couple of keepers in offensive tackle Darnell Wright and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and the No. 1 overall pick of the very next draft—quarterback Caleb Williams.

Oh, and they still have to collect on a 2025 second-round pick, which will likely end up as a pretty high one.

Conversely, the trade has yet to work out for Carolina—who relinquished a bevy of resources into that top selection. Since then, the Panthers have gone 2-16 while Young has passed for 178.7 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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Fantasy football: Where to draft Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore

Analyzing Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore’s 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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In his first season with the Chicago Bears after being acquired in a trade from the Caroline Panthers, WR DJ Moore had career highs in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364) and receiving TDs (8). The Bears rewarded him with a 4-year contract extension this offseason. Below, we look at DJ Moore’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

The Bears have a rookie quarterback in No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, plus they added 1st-round pick WR Rome Odunze and veteran WR Keenan Allen to the receiving corps. With increased competition for targets, Moore’s role could diminish, making it harder to predict his fantasy value. While Moore’s talent is undeniable, the surrounding changes may cap his upside this season.

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DJ Moore’s ADP: 36.16

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Moore’s 36.16 ADP in redraft leagues places him in the range of the 3rd to 4th round, depending on the size of the league. His ADP ranks 16th among wide receivers.

The Houston Texans’ Nico Collins (33.91) is just ahead of Moore at 15, while the Texans’ Stefon Diggs (37.26) is right behind him at 17, followed by the Seattle Seahawks’ DK Metcalf (37.91), New York Giants’ rookie Malik Nabers (40.83) and Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle (41.74).

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DJ Moore’s 2023-24 stats

Games: 17

Receptions | targets: 96 | 136

Receiving yards: 1,364

Receiving touchdowns: 8

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Where should you draft Moore?

After years of underwhelming performances, Moore finally broke out in 2023, setting career highs with 96 receptions, 1,364 yards, and 8 TDs, averaging 16.9 fantasy points per game. Despite his overall success, Moore’s fantasy production was inconsistent, with several spike weeks—most notably a 49-point explosion against Washington—balanced by 5 games with single-digit points.

The Bears made significant changes for 2024, starting with Williams, who is expected to be a QB upgrade over Justin Fields. However, with the additions of Allen and Odunze, Moore’s target share is likely to drop from last season’s 28.9%. Despite the competition, a shift towards a more pass-heavy offense under Williams could help Moore maintain his volume.

Moore’s ADP (WR 16, No. 37 overall) reflects the risk associated with a rookie QB and increased target competition. However, if Williams lives up to his potential, Moore has room to outperform his ADP, making him a solid late 3rd, early 4th, round value pick in fantasy drafts. His talent and role in the offense make him a possible WR1 and he should be drafted as such.

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Caleb Williams and DJ Moore discuss Chicago Bears’ season

DJ Moore needs to help Caleb Williams in Year 1 in Chicago.

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Kimberley Martin were joined by Chicago Bears Pro Bowl wide receiver DJ Moore and rookie star quarterback Caleb Williams.

On the latest episode of “Hard Knocks,” DJ Moore’s daughter stole the show, as Bears Wire notes in this excerpt:

Once “Hard Knocks” decided to feature DJ Moore’s daughter, Bears fans knew she would be an instant star (just look at Bears social media in the past). She’s so charismatic and just a joy to watch. Whether it was her eating hot dog-flavored ice cream or trash talking Buffalo fans (“Bills suck!”), she stole our hearts. Hey, NFL Films, we need a spinoff. Or, at the very least, a web series.

If DJ Moore’s daughter can deliver a star turn on an HBO series, Moore can become a star on the field. If Moore produces at the level the Bears expect, Caleb Williams should have a strong rookie season and guide Chicago to the playoffs in his first NFL go-around. The NFL season opener is now three weeks away.

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Fantasy football outlook: Chicago Bears wide receivers

For the first time in ages, Chicago has a passing game.

When you consider the Chicago Bears franchise stretches back more than 100 years, it beggars belief that they’ve never had a 4,000-yard passer (Erik Kramer holds the record with 3,838 yards in 1995) or had someone throw 30 touchdown passes (Kramer threw 29 in ’95). Are the winds of change finally ready to blow in the Windy City?

If they aren’t, it won’t be from a lack of trying. After trading for wide receiver DJ Moore last year, general manager Ryan Pace spent the first overall pick on quarterback Caleb Williams and then the ninth selection on WR Rome Odunze. Seeking a veteran presence, the GM also worked out a deal for longtime Los Angeles Chargers wideout Keenan Allen.

On paper, this is, by far, the best receivers room in the team’s history. It doesn’t end there, though, as the Bears also have a pair of solid tight ends in Cole Kmet (73-719-6 in 2023) and Gerald Everett (51-411-3 w/ LAC), and an accomplished pass catcher out of the backfield in running back D’Andre Swift, who has averaged 49 receptions per season in his career.

With so many options paired with a rookie triggerman, what can fantasy owners expect in 2024?

Panthers help Bears WR DJ Moore make history

Moore money, Moore money, Moore money!

Back in January, Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore thanked the Carolina Panthers for clinching his team the 2024 draft’s No. 1 overall pick. And now, almost seven months later, he can thank them for helping him clinch some history.

On Tuesday, Moore and the Bears officially reached a four-year, $110 million extension—making him one of the highest-paid players at his position. The pact also made the 27-year-old the first receiver in league history to have the first 10 years of his NFL career guaranteed by contract.

The Panthers, the organization that drafted Moore as a first-round pick in 2018, laid the foundation for the historic decade of dollars. In the spring of 2022, Carolina rewarded Moore with a three-year, $61.8 million extension four seasons into his rookie deal.

Chicago proceeded to pick up the agreement when they acquired Moore in last year’s massive trade for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick. The Bears, by virtue of the trade, would also pick up right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and, of course, quarterback Caleb Williams.

So even though there may still be some hard feelings . . . congratulations, DJ!

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Bears give one of Caleb Williams’ top receivers a four-year extension

The Bears make a big commitment to DJ Moore.

The Chicago Bears’ commitment to Caleb Williams took another positive forward step on Tuesday. The Bears inked prime receiver DJ Moore to a four-year, $110 million extension.

Bears Wire has more on this story:

 The Bears have signed Moore to a four-year, $110 million extension that includes $82.6 million guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report.

Moore, who was acquired from the Carolina Panthers in a massive trade for the No. 1 pick last offseason, is now under contract in Chicago through 2029. According to Schefter, it’s the largest deal in Bears franchise history.

The addition of Moore did wonders for Chicago’s offense. He had a career year in 2023, setting career highs in catches (96), yards (1,364) and touchdowns (8). Moore eclipsed 100 receiving yards in five games last season, including his first 200-yard game.

With Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze as the Bears’ top three receivers, Caleb Williams has lots of prime targets to throw to. If the Bears’ offensive line can hold up, Williams should be able to settle into a comfort zone as the Bears’ passer, because one of those three receivers — if given enough time to run a full route — should be able to get open on a consistent basis.

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WR DJ Moore nets four-year, $110 million extension from Bears

The Bears gave DJ Moore the richest contract in franchise history

DJ Moore made the catch du jour from the Chicago Bears. The wide receiver agreed to terms on a four-year extension worth $110 million, Of that, $82.6 million is guaranteed.

Moore came to Chicago before last season in the deal that sent the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers. The NFC South team finished last in the division and that led to the Bears getting the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Meanwhile, Moore was sensational for Chicago. He set career highs in catches (96), yards (1,364) and touchdowns (8).

The Bears open the NFL preseason this week in the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans.

Moore, No. 1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears starters will not play.