One of the goals that the Chicago Bears had during the 2023 offseason was to upgrade the weapons around quarterback Justin Fields. Fields took some strides last season, but if he is to reach the heights that the team believes him capable of, they had to improve his supporting cast.

The Bears accomplished their goal throughout the offseason. Tight end Robert Tonyan and offensive guard Nate Davis were both signed in free agency. Tackle Darnell Wright was selected using the team’s first-round pick to further upgrade the offensive line.

Chicago was only in a position to select Wright because they made a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers centered around the No. 1 pick. As part of that return package from Carolina, the Bears received wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Moore is the exact kind of player that the Bears need to help elevate their offense to the next level. He recorded 1,100+ receiving yards in three straight seasons before a disappointing 2022 and will provide Fields with the No. 1 receiver the team so desperately needed.

His presence will certainly help open things up aerially in the Windy City. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Moore accounted for 48.7 percent of his team’s air yards in 2022, which is the highest share since 2016. Last season, Chicago was one of only three teams in the NFL that didn’t have a receiver account for at least 23 percent of their air yards.

With Moore in the mix, the Bears’ offense should open up for everyone else. He will draw the most attention from opposing defenses, providing Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool to operate in more one-on-one situations. 

An already strong running game should get even more efficient with teams no longer being able to stack the box as Moore needs some extra attention. Expect the Bears’ offense to be much more explosive in 2023 than it has been in years past with a weapon the caliber of Moore being the focal point.