Chicago Bears add DJ Moore and future 1st in 2023 draft trade

After months of waiting to see what the Chicago Bears would do with the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Ian Rapoport announced on Friday that the team has agreed to a deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Chicago Bears acquire star receiver ahead of free agency

After general manager Ryan Poles hinted towards the fact that the team would like to make a draft trade prior to the start of the free agency period, the Chicago Bears have agreed to send the first-overall selection to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the ninth overall pick, the 61st-overall pick (which was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the Christian McCaffrey trade), a 2024 1st-round pick, and a 2025 2nd-round pick. On top of future draft capital, the Bears also acquired star wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Moore, who has played five seasons in the NFL, has averaged 1,040 receiving yards per season since entering the league. A first-round selection in the 2018 draft out of Maryland, Moore is a dynamic receiver who can operate well out of the slot, a position that the Bears' offense desperately needed to address this offseason.

In five seasons with the Panthers, Moore caught passes from eight different starting quarterbacks, and despite a lack of consistency behind center in Carolina, the receiver remained a product offensive weapon with over 400 total offensive touches.

Moore's usage will likely increase with the Bears, as the receiver recorded 100 or more touches in a season only once in Carolina. With a dynamic offense built around Justin Fields and a league-leading rushing unit in 2022, the Maryland product will likely serve as the team's number on receiver next year from the slot, with receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool serving as more perimeter threats.

Moore, who is still just 25 years old (and only one month older than Velus Jones Jr), is under contract for three more seasons, with a cap hit of $20 million next season, and $16 million the following two seasons.

Chicago Bears Offseason Plans Post Panthers Trade

This trade obviously completely changes how the team will operate in this free agency period and the upcoming NFL Draft. With the receiving core somewhat set for next season with three distinct types of playmakers, the team will likely focus on the offensive line, running back, and defensive front seven this offseason.

With the ninth-overall pick, there are still a number of quality starters that the Chicago Bears could look to add, especially across the offensive and defensive lines. Unfortunately, this trade likely means that there will not be an Ohio State reunion between Fields and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but nonetheless, Moore may be a better fit in the slot for a team who needed to find a playmaker now instead of waiting for a younger player to properly develop.

With a much clearer picture of what the Chicago Bears will look to do this offseason, and with a strong start before the free agency period has even begun, there is certainly hope that this team will take a massive step next year with a completely revamped roster.