DJ Moore said he loved what the Chicago Bears did overhauling the wide receiver position this off-season. Keenan Allen arrived via trade in March. Rome Odunze became their 9th overall pick in the draft. This development means less coverage will be devoted to stopping Moore. However, there is another layer to the situation. It creates an inevitable competition between the three. Each will have to do everything in their power to draw attention from quarterback Caleb Williams. More targets equal more catches, yards, and touchdowns. All of that leads to more money. Moore said it would be a race to 1,000 yards.
The key to winning such a race is establishing chemistry with Williams as quickly as possible. While Odunze already has a budding friendship with the young quarterback, it appears Moore was the fastest out of the blocks. Not only have the two linked up several times in practice for big plays, but the quarterback is also connecting with his new receiver off the field. Williams was spotted at Moore’s football camp at Deerfield High School this weekend. The relationship is coming together fast.
DJ Moore seems to know exactly what he’s doing.
The same thing happened last year with Justin Fields. Those two clicked almost immediately. Something about the wide receiver makes it easy for quarterbacks to trust him. His early advantage also comes from his counterparts not always being available. Keenan Allen hasn’t been practicing at OTAs, likely due to them being voluntary and him being in his 30s. Odunze suffered a hamstring strain that knocked him out of a few practices as well. Moore is the only one of the big three who has been present for every moment.
That doesn’t mean the other two receivers will have bad years—far from it. That said, it could mean Williams ends up looking to DJ Moore a little more often in crunch time than the others. The chemistry between quarterback and wide receiver is essential to success in the NFL. They almost have to be psychic, knowing what one another is thinking. Every single practice rep helps build towards this. Moore has the early lead. Time will tell if the others can catch up.
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Seeing that I can comment on this article but not the previous article about the b/u QB’s, I clearly believe that Bagent is truly a diamond in the rough. He’ll get gobbled up when he becomes a FA. Having him on our team is a benefit, every team needs a Zeke Bradkowski, Earl Morrall, or Don Strock to weather the inevitable storm
Think of it this way: Caleb knew Allen longest, made a new friend with Odunze, and now developing closer ties with Moore–that is called balance–not division/competition I hope.
Has Keenan Allen been practicing?