A shocking Chicago Bears player projected to regress during the 2024 NFL Season

Earlier this week, Pro Football Network published an article naming one player from each NFL team that could be in line for regression in 2024. Of course, Chicago Bears fans want no part of hearing about regression. After all, this has been one of the most exciting offseasons in recent memory for a fan base that is thirsting for success. However, regression doesn’t necessarily stem from diminishing skills or lack of talent.

Pro Football Network’s Anthony DiBona chose wide receiver DJ Moore as the most likely candidate to take a step back for the Bears. Moore, 27, is still very much in his prime and has shown no signs of slowing down. Why then, would he be a regression candidate in this seemingly ready-to-explode offense? The answer is that there are simply many more mouths to feed in this offense than last season. With the arrivals of veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, DJ Moore will likely not see the targets he saw last year. This is a good thing Bears fans. It means that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will have options, and defenses will have to do more than simply focus on DJ Moore.

Regression for DJ Moore?.....Uh oh.

Moore completed his first year with Chicago last season after the Bears traded the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. The Bears received DJ Moore from Carolina, along with what turned out to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, plus three additional draft picks.

Moore set career highs last season in receptions (96), yards (1,364), and touchdowns (8). This came while tight end Cole Kmet also had a career year with 73 receptions for 719 yards and six touchdowns.

Now the Bears have added veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen into the mix, who has caught 100+ passes in four of his last five seasons. This is a guy who demands targets. The Bears also added Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in this year’s draft. Odunze will certainly earn immediate playing time with the skill set he provides. Also, don’t forget about dual-threat running back D’Andre Swift, who is dangerous as a pass catcher.

DJ Moore isn’t a regression candidate because of a declining skill set or ineffectiveness, but rather because of the weapons Ryan Poles has added this offseason. If this offense reaches it’s high octane potential, the ball will be spread around and there will be plenty of production to go around. If Moore sees a downtick in his offensive output, it’s because the Bears have a three-headed monster in their receiver's room, all of whom are hungry. Regression has never sounded so good.