Justin Fields and DJ Moore will be one of the more scrutinized quarterback/wide receiver duos heading into the 2023 NFL season for the Chicago Bears. But before Fields lobs his first pass to the multiple 1,000-yard receiver, he’s already hit the ground running with developing the chemistry between QB and wideout — with dinner and a basketball game.
Justin Fields and DJ Moore Already Hanging Out
Revealed by Bears team reporter Larry Mayer, Fields not only went out to dinner with his newest wide receiver on his first night in Chicago following the trade, but the two, alongside Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool all took in a Chicago Bulls basketball game together.
But this was not any ordinary “guy’s night out” sequence, this was a building cohesion scenario as Fields described it.
“I think it’s important, being the quarterback, for me to build that camaraderie with everyone,” Fields said. “His first night here [Moore], I went out to eat with him and his family. That was cool to get to know him a little bit. We didn’t know each other that well at that point, but the more time we’ve spent with each other, the more comfortable we’ve gotten around each other. He’s a great person and, of course, a great football player.”
Fields Gives Early Assessment of Moore and How He Changes Offense in Chicago
Fields spent his ’22 campaign using his legs more than his arm, with his team-high 1,143 rushing yards helping carry the league’s 28th-ranked offense.
Adding the three-time 1,000-yard WR is a start. Then, watching DeMar DeRozan and company, became the fuel needed to grow this partnership — one Chicago needed in a big way following their disastrous 2022 output that saw not one Bears WR cross over 500 receiving yards. Since that dinner and a game session, Fields says his relationship has grown with the former Carolina Panthers wideout.
“I’ve known DJ for a little bit now,” Fields said. “I can tell he loves the game, he’s a hard worker, and, of course, he’s talented. He’s proven that over the past few years playing with the Panthers. So, it’s great to have him; another weapon to add to our offense. He’s going to bring a lot of energy, a lot of leadership to the room. Everybody’s excited to have him, so it’s going to be fun.”
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Moore’s presence becomes a significant boost for play-action. With Fields as a runner, plus Moore’s background playing in run-first offenses under Matt Rhule and Ron Rivera, the 2021 first-round passer now has someone experienced in sneaking behind a defense when teams think run. Moore is known to beat defenses off his quick feet and burst after the snap, allowing him to slip by press coverage which bodes perfectly on play-action reads.
On Moore’s end, previously playing with a mobile QB can assist him in adjusting to Fields. He spent his first two seasons hauling in receptions from Cam Newton in Charlotte. Newton also made a brief return for the 2021 season — the year Moore caught a career-best 93 receptions.
The Windy City knows a thing or two about sports duos. The more renowned ones — Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen for the Bulls, Kris Bryant-Jon Lester for the Cubs, Jermaine Dye-Paul Konerko for the White Sox, Mike Singletary-Walter Payton for the Bears, and Patrick Toews-Jonathan Kane of the Blackhawks — have won championships in Chicago. Bear fans will hope Fields/Moore can become that next major Windy City duo.