DJ Moore can't wait to put on a Bears uniform for the first time.
Acquired in a blockbuster trade that became official Wednesday with the start of the new league year, the star receiver is thrilled to join an ascending young team.
"It's going to be real special," Moore told ChicagoBears.com. "I'm glad to be a part of the groundwork that's being laid. And to just build that foundation of winning, it's going to be something special."
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The Bears agreed to acquire Moore and four draft picks from the Panthers last Friday in exchange for the No. 1 choice in the draft. The selections they acquired are in the first (No. 9) and second (No. 61) rounds this year, the first round in 2024 and the second round in 2025. "Having the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft gave us a tremendous opportunity to take steps forward this season and in our plan of building long-term," said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. "We are excited about the additional picks acquired, including staying in the top 10 selections this year, but also the addition of a proven and dynamic playmaker in DJ Moore. We had multiple aggressive offers to consider, but in the end it felt right for both teams in what Panthers GM Scott Fitterer presented and it keeps us in an area of this year's draft that we really like." The Bears reportedly insisted that Moore had to be included in the deal. "It makes me feel special," said the veteran receiver. "When a team does that—they just want one specific player—that means a lot. It hit home that I'm really welcome here."
“I’m glad to be a part of the groundwork that’s being laid. And to just build that foundation of winning, it’s going to be something special.”DJ Moore
Moore has felt that love from fired up Bears fans on social media as well as from some of his new teammates. Over the last few days, he has dined with quarterback Justin Fields and receiver Darnell Mooney and met receiver Chase Claypool, left tackle Braxton Jones and others at Halas Hall. Moore arrives in Chicago after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Panthers. Selected by Carolina with the 24th pick in the first round of the 2018 draft out of Maryland, he has appeared in 80 games with 73 starts and caught 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 210-pounder described himself as a "quiet, hardworking, outgoing, down-to-earth teammate just ready to make everybody around me better." Moore did that in Carolina, topping 1,100 yards in three straight seasons—with 1,175 in 2019, 1,193 in 2020 and 1,157 in 2021
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