LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — After learning of his trade to the Bears in March 2023, receiver DJ Moore didn’t know what to expect.
At the time of the trade, Moore had three years remaining on his contract with the Panthers and had just purchased a home in Charlotte for his family. He was suddenly headed to Chicago and faced uncertainty in his future.
Moore was also aware of the infamous words of former Panthers and Bears receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who once proclaimed that Chicago is "where wide receivers go to die."
“When I got here, that was a thing,” Moore said. “And then when the season was progressing the way it was, I was just like, ‘Yeah, you can throw that out the window now.’”
Moore admitted that his initial reaction to joining the Bears was, “Oh, (shoot),” but the new setting soon became the new beginning he needed. In Chicago, Moore quickly showcased himself as a standout and a key figure in the team's future as he hauled in 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight scores in 2023.
Though Moore still had two years remaining on his existing contract, general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears sought to lock him in for the long term this offseason. So agent Drew Rosenhaus flew to Chicago, and a deal was reached by Tuesday evening. Moore signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $110 million and which guarantees him $82.6 million. He's now under contract through 2029.
“The organization embraced me as soon as I got here, from the time I got traded until the time that ink got on that paper,” Moore said. “It’s been nothing but love.
“Getting traded here probably was one of the best things.”
Prior to kickoff of the 2023 season, the Bears voted Moore as one of their four team captains. It was an honor that represented how Moore had immediately meshed with his new teammates.
Moore was a key target and ally for then-quarterback Justin Fields in 2023, having his back on and off the field. Once the Bears selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft in April, Moore became an instrumental supporter for him.
What the Bears have come to appreciate about Moore is that he’s a dynamic receiver without an ego, a productive player who doesn’t beg for the football.
Moore is the type of player and person the Bears covet for their future.
"We all know he's an impact player and a difference-maker for our offense,” Poles said. “But his leadership and professionalism make him a cornerstone of our franchise."
While Vikings star Justin Jefferson reset the wide receiver market with a four-year, $140-million contract extension this offseason, Moore wasn’t looking to reach those figures in his talks, nor was he keen on waiting for next offseason to begin negotiating a new deal.
Moore felt stability with the Bears and wanted to secure that for his own future. The 22-year-old Williams is just beginning a career that boasts great promise. Bears receiver Rome Odunze, tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift are among the key players under contract for several years to come.
From afar, Moore once viewed the Bears as an unstable organization. Now, he sees a franchise he believes in and one that values him.
“I hope that it’s always going to be that way,” Moore said. “And I’m going to keep going out there and putting my best foot forward.
“Once we got here, there was no looking back. We’re here now for the long haul.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.