LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — As soon as the Bears traded for dynamic receiver DJ Moore in March, quarterback Justin Fields knew what the acquisition meant.
Fields first struck up a connection with Moore off the field, attending a Bulls game with him soon after his new teammate arrived in Chicago. They took that bond to the practice fields at Halas Hall, running routes on air after practices had concluded. Over the summer, Fields brought Moore down to Georgia for more work together.
It’s possible this may be the lone season that Fields and Moore play together as the Bears prepare for a pivotal offseason decision at quarterback, but Moore hopes that the organization will continue to build around Fields and let their connection strengthen moving forward.
"He's a dynamic player, dynamic quarterback,” Moore said Thursday. “I mean, we want him here. I've been having a great year with him, so that should speak volumes. I just leave what they do (in the front office) upstairs at the end of the day.”
Fields has completed 64.4% of his passes for 1,587 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games this season. Moore has enjoyed a strong first season with the Bears, hauling in 70 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.
Fields has enjoyed breakthroughs as a passer and displayed the type of improvement that inspires confidence in the Bears. Meanwhile, Moore has been every bit the impact player that Chicago’s brass hoped for when it dealt the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers for Moore and significant draft capital.
“I love him as a teammate, love his as a person,” Fields said of Moore. “Yeah, he’s just great to have on the team.”
In the Bears’ 12-10 win against the Vikings on Nov. 27, Fields connected with Moore for a 36-yard completion late that set up kicker Cairo Santos for the game-winning field goal. It was a pivotal moment in the young career of Fields, who's being asked to lead Chicago to victories.
Clouding Fields' future with the Bears is the fact that Chicago owns Carolina's first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and it's slated to be the No. 1 overall pick as the Panthers are an NFL-worst 1-11. That means the Bears will likely have the opportunity to select a top quarterback prospect like USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye. General manager Ryan Poles and his scouting brass have been surveying the quarterback class and preparing for the possibility of selecting Fields’ replacement.
“Personally, I’m just focused on what I can control," Fields said. "The rest is in God’s hands. Really, you just put everything in God’s hands, you know it’s going to turn out good for you. If I'm here next year, if I’m not, football doesn’t define who I am as a person. My happiness will still be in the same place.
“I’m very blessed in the position I am in. A million people would love to be in the position I’m in right now. Really, not taking that for granted. Just taking each and every moment I have every day up here to the fullest.”
If the Bears elect to pass on drafting a quarterback and keep Fields, they'll have to make a contract decision on his fifth-year option for 2025 or potentially begin working on a long-term extension with him that would represent a key investment.
For his part, Moore believes that the best is yet to come for Fields and the Bears.
“He's young,” Moore said. “He's going to still continue to grow and be better."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.