The debate on what to do with the first overall pick in 2024 is running rampant in Chicago Bears circles, but many, players included, have voiced their support for quarterback Justin Fields, especially after the team's dominant 37 - 17 victory against the Atlanta Falcons.
Fans and D.J. Moore Express Their Wishes to the Chicago Bears
The game ended with chants of "We Want Justin" echoing from the fans standing in front of their Soldier Fields seats, and general manager Ryan Poles was one of many Bears on the sideline who was able to witness this outcry of support.
For Poles, it is not just the fanbase who is trying to influence perhaps the defining decision of his career, but the players within his locker room, specifically star wide receiver D.J. Moore. Moore joined the Bears ahead of last year's draft thanks to the deal to move down with the Carolina Panthers, and now, the receiver is campaigning to trade the pick again and stick with Fields at quarterback.
The important part of Moore's support is that it is unconditional, as the receiver lauded his quarterback even after the team's late-game collapse against the Cleveland Browns. To be fair, this game was particularly difficult to pin on Fields, who nearly connected on a game-winning Hail Mary. Still, following the game, Moore was asked about Fields' future in Chicago, to which the receiver retorted "What makes him not the quarterback for the Chicago Bears right now? I get ya'll got everybody coming out [of the 2024 draft], what, it's like two of 'em? I don't think they're better than Justin."
Moore's words were as loud following the win against the Falcons, especially when asked if he heard the fans chanting for his quarterback. "I did hear those chants," Moore stated, "and I know [the front office's] box is right there. So I know they heard that stuff, too." Following the game, the receiver had nothing but praise for Fields, especially on his magical third and down conversion where he evaded multiple potential sacks.
"I've said it before I'm going to keep saying it: What makes him not the quarterback? The Houdini act should've put the nail in the-- he's not a running back. He is him... I want him to be the quarterback." These are strong words coming from Moore, who is currently enjoying a career-best season. Perhaps it is from Moore's time in Carolina, and his history with quarterback disfunction, that makes him such a big supporter of Justin Fields in Chicago.
D.J. Moore Looking for More QB Consistency with Chicago Bears
As a Panther, Moore quickly became one of the team's best players and was famously referred to as the best receiver in franchise history since Steve Smith Sr., who said as much himself. However, the one detriment to his career was the team's lack of consistency at the quarterback position. In Carolina, Moore logged 5,200 yards and 21 touchdowns in five years despite playing with eight different quarterbacks.
Now in his sixth season, Moore has recorded career highs in yards (1,300) and touchdowns (8) in 16 games and is just one catch shy of matching his career high from 2021 (93). It makes sense for Moore to be such a vocal supporter of his quarterback, especially after looking at what his stats looked like when Fields was out with his thumb injury.
In the five games that Fields missed, including the game against the Minnesota Vikings where he got hurt, Moore averaged just 52.4 yards per game with Tyson Bagent, a far cry from his 96.6 yards per game when Fields plays.
Moore is enjoying his best season and is flourishing into even more of a star in Chicago, so it is logical for him to be a supporter of his quarterback, especially publicly. His indirect references to the team's front office and the resources they have at their disposal are particularly pointed, especially in regards to what he believes the team should do instead of replacing Fields at the top of the draft.
What is the Alternative for D.J. Moore and the Chicago Bears?
The name Marvin Harrison Jr. is recognizable to many football fans, and not just because of who else shares it. Chicago Bears fans, Justin Fields, and D.J. Moore all have their own relationship with the player, but the latter seems to want him as his running mate in Chicago. Moore and Harrison grew up alongside each other in Philadelphia and even participated at one point on the same track team. The Buckeye connection between Fields and Harrison is even more obvious.
Adding a top-end receiver, especially Harrison, to help Fields seems like a better alternative than replacing the quarterback altogether, at least in Moore's eyes. To date, the ability to acquire Moore as a part of the deal for the first overall pick has probably been Poles's best move, and upsetting that player would seem to be a bad idea.
That being said, the general manager may not want to set the precedent that players can impact his decision-making. But Moore's desire to instead add another offensive target at least points to the fact that his comments are not selfish and perhaps just the opposite.
Moore is not the only player in public support of Fields, as several players, even defensive players, have come to the quarterback's side. This week, safety Jaquan Brisker told NBC Chicago "I want Justin. We all want Justin. Let's go! That's our guy. That guy makes plays for sure and he's a leader. We like a guy like that. He's giving it all he's got... He's amazing for sure. You can't let a guy like that slip."
Even the recently acquired Montez Sweat had nothing but praise: "He makes plays like the Lamar Jacksons and the Patrick Mahomes', and guys don't really hype it up like they would other quarterbacks. I'm happy he's on my side."
A lot will go into the thought process of what to do with the first overall pick, and a lot of those factors will change dramatically from now until April, but still, it appears many players would be upset by a change of scenery at the quarterback position. For better or worse, this team has rallied around their quarterback, and removing him from the culture could backfire in unquantifiable terms.