LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears quarterback Justin Fields looked toward the corner of the end zone as top receiver DJ Moore made a double move and shifted his stride past a defender.
Fields unleashed the football knowing that Moore would be there to reach with full extension for the catch. This was how they connected for the second of Moore's three touchdowns last Thursday in the Bears' 40-20 win over the Commanders at FedEx Field. It’s what the pair had been working toward for months.
“That was like a faith ball,” Moore said.
Since the Bears acquired Moore from the Panthers in a blockbuster trade back in March, he and Fields have worked hard to create chemistry. Now five games into that partnership, that connection is paying dividends and continuing to grow.
Fields is showcasing good progress as a passer in his third NFL season, with a 95.4 passer rating and 11 touchdown passes, tied for the second-most in the NFL. Five of those scores have gone to Moore, who's tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns along with Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill.
Moore has been the difference-making wideout that the Bears envisioned when they landed him as part of the return in the package that sent the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Panthers. On Tuesday, Moore was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in recognition of his eight-reception, 230-yard, three-touchdown game last Thursday.
The Bears have recorded the third-most explosive plays (20 yards or more) in the NFL with 25. Ten of those plays have been passes from Fields to Moore, and they're helping the entire offense find its top form.
“Everybody on the team knows their role,” Fields said. “Everybody on the team knows that DJ’s our No. 1 receiver and wherever the chips fall, they fall. But he’s the No. 1 receiver. (Darnell Mooney) is going to get the ball. Cole (Kmet) is going to get the ball. Of course, we always want to get those guys involved. Just spread the love.”
Fields and Moore have worked each week to develop routes together, catering their preparation to the upcoming matchup and the new scouting report. Fields knows where Moore is going to be, and Moore believes that Fields will find him.
In their mind, faith throws aren’t 50-50 balls when they’ve been rehearsed over and over again.
“They’re going to go from 70-30 balls to 80-20 balls,” Moore said. “To where at some point we’re going to be like, ‘OK, we’ve got DJ and Moon and they’re going to go make a play no matter what.'”
Given how their connection has grown, Fields could potentially become the Bears’ first-ever 4,000-yard passer in a single season in franchise history. Fields is currently pacing to throw for 3,886 yards in 2023, assuming he stays healthy enough to play a full 17-game regular season. For his part, Moore is pacing to set his career-high receiving yardage mark by a wide margin as the two Bears are aligned for a breakout season.
Fields and Moore have a growing belief in each other, and their connection continues to evolve.
“It’s a long process, but of course we’ve worked through it and we’ve grown and gotten better every week,” Fields said. “Just looking to keep going and keep growing in the right direction.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.