The Chicago Bears have a new elite weapon in DJ Moore, who will give quarterback Justin Fields the No. 1 wide receiver he’s been missing.
The Bears kicked off Organized Team Activities last week, where Moore has already showcased his speed and playmaking ability. That included beating Kindle Vildor for a diving catch during Tuesday’s open practice.
“The first thing I (noticed) is speed,” said coach Matt Eberflus. “I just saw that (Monday), and I was like ‘wow.’ There’s a different gear there, you know? That was exciting to see.”
While Moore certainly has impressive speed in his arsenal, he’s an all-around playmaking threat for a Bears passing game that lacked a true WR1 last season. Moore has everything you’re looking for in a top wideout.
“It’s rare when you’ve got a guy that can run the route and have the route discipline that he has and the football IQ that he has, and then also that speed and that talent that he has,” Eberflus said.
Fields has been impressed with Moore’s combination of “strength, speed, body control, [and] great hands.”
“He knows how to use his body to get open,” Fields said. “That’s a big part in receivers. He knows how to tip a route, so he’s rarely ever going to be running 100 percent on all the routes. He has that second gear to go get the ball. I think that’s what makes him a great receiver, just his understanding of the coverages, seeing the defense well and stuff like that.”
Even Moore’s defensive teammates have noticed what he brings to the table, and how he can help take the passing game (which ranked last in 2022) and offense to the next level.
“When a play needs to be made, to have a guy to make those plays, obviously it means a lot to our team,” said linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. “That’s another guy that makes you excited about what’s to come.”
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Story originally appeared on Bears Wire