Last March, the Chicago Bears acquired wide receiver D.J. Moore in a trade that sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers used that selection to take quarterback Bryce Young.
But as part of that deal, Carolina sent its 2024 first-round draft pick to the Bears. Well, the Panthers clinched the worst record in the NFL this past Sunday, meaning that Chicago will now own the top selection in this spring’s NFL Draft.
Following the Bears’ blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, Moore couldn’t help but throw a little shot at his former Panthers club.
“I mean, (expletive), I feel I was the No. 1 pick when they traded for me,” Moore said of the Bears acquiring him, via Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. “But, I mean, thanks to Carolina, that’s all I can say.”
Moore logged nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons in his latest spectacular performance of the year.
On the season overall, the 26-year-old has hauled in 92 receptions for 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are all career highs.
Moore, who played his collegiate football at the University of Maryland, was originally selected by Carolina with the 24th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He had an impressive rookie campaign, catching 55 passes for 788 yards and a couple of scores. Then, the following year, Moore broke out, snaring 87 balls for 1,175 yards while reaching the end zone four times. Moore then posted very similar numbers in 2020 and 2021, registering 66 catches for 1,193 yards and four touchdowns in the former season and 93 grabs for 1,157 yards and four scores in the latter.
After taking a step back in 2022 when he finished with 63 receptions for 888 yards and seven touchdowns, Moore was traded to Chicago.
Needless to say, Moore has certainly flourished during his first season with the Bears.
After starting the season 0-4, Chicago has rebounded nicely, going 7-5 ever since. The Bears have also won four of their last five games and will get the chance to spoil the Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes when they had to Lambeau Field next weekend.
Perhaps next season, D.J. Moore and Co. can make the postseason rather than playing the role of spoiler.
