LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears receiver DJ Moore is a quiet figure around his new team, a driven individual who prefers actions over words. He carries himself in that manner each day, and it has resonated with his teammates.
Moore was voted a team captain by the Bears less than six months after Chicago acquired him as part of the blockbuster trade of the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears' vision in adding Moore was that he would elevate the play of quarterback Justin Fields and Chicago’s entire offense.
As it turns out, Moore is setting the tone for his entire team.
“He doesn’t talk much,” said Bears safety Eddie Jackson, who's also a team captain. “I call him 'The Silent Assassin.' He kind of lets his game do the talking.
“He goes out there and he busts his tail in the weight room, on the field. We see the things he's capable of doing.”
When coach Matt Eberflus informed the Bears last week of the results of their captain's vote, Moore struggled to contain his excitement. He was never named a captain over five years with the Panthers.
Moore has a new beginning now with the Bears, who hope he emerges as a cornerstone piece in a potential turnaround. In trade negotiations with the Panthers in the offseason, Bears general manager Ryan Poles prioritized landing the 26-year-old Moore over a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft because he recognized what Moore could bring his football team.
Moore hauled in 364 receptions for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns in five seasons with the Panthers. That production came with a revolving door at quarterback in Carolina. Moore has individual goals for this season but isn’t willing to share those publicly.
“I did more with less before, so I’m not really too big on it,” Moore said.
Fields is counting on Moore to be the true No. 1 wide receiver that he lacked in his first two NFL seasons. The two have developed a chemistry off the field and applied it to help an on-field connection that was evident throughout the preseason.
On the third play of the Bears’ preseason opener, Fields hit Moore on a quick screen that turned into a 62-yard touchdown. It shined a spotlight on the work they had put in together this offseason and showcased why there’s new hope in Chicago.
The Bears have seen it ever since Moore walked into Halas Hall in March.
“He leads by example,” Eberflus said. “When he speaks, everybody listens. He is just a worker. He’s a playmaker.”
When the Bears kick off the new season Sunday at Soldier Field against the Packers, they'll be working toward their goal of winning the NFC North crown for the first time since 2018. The Bears intend to make a statement this season, and Moore believes his team is ready to do so.
"Everybody is excited to go out there and just prove that we are one of the top teams," Moore said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.