The Chicago Bears have made blockbuster trades in the past. All have impacted the franchise, some in good ways and others in bad ways. However, it is quickly becoming clear that trading the #1 overall pick last year to the Carolina Panthers could become the most impactful trade in franchise history. In exchange for Bryce Young, the Bears secured wide receiver DJ Moore, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor, and quarterback Caleb Williams. That doesn’t even include the 2nd round pick they still have coming in 2025.
Meanwhile, Young has already been benched in Carolina. Wright, Stevenson, Taylor, and Williams are established starters showing signs of steady progress. Moore is a star, having posted over 1300 yards last season. Joe Person of The Athletic covers the Panthers. He and Bears colleague Adam Jahns wrote a fascinating piece about the genesis of that trade and its impact on both franchises. One thing that is clear even over a year later? Many in the Carolina locker room are still upset about Moore leaving.
Thinking it would be easier to replace a top-end receiver, Fitterer agreed to include Moore in the deal, raising some eyebrows among Panthers players.
“Guys felt some type of way that he was gone because he was a main guy in this franchise,” cornerback Jaycee Horn said. “Any time you lose a guy like that or Brian Burns or Donte Jackson — it’s just a part of the business. But guys were definitely conflicted about it just because he was a big face in this locker room.”
Replacing DJ Moore has not been as easy as hoped.
The aging Adam Thielen failed to provide any boost for Young last season. Carolina traded for Diontae Johnson this off-season from Pittsburgh. He’s been solid but has only caught 20 of the 39 passes thrown his way. Insiders also expect he will leave in free agency next year. The Panthers are pinning their hopes that rookie Xavier Legette will become the guy soon. A simple question is this. Would Carolina swap either of them to get Moore back? Based on this report, the answer isn’t difficult to surmise.
We already know where the Bears stand. They quickly signed DJ Moore to a four-year contract extension despite still having two left on his current deal. That should tell you how much they love the guy. While his start to 2024 has been slower than normal, it isn’t because he hasn’t been open. He and Williams just haven’t connected on some of their deep opportunities yet. That should come with more time together. Carolina can only wonder if things might’ve been different had they kept him and Young together.
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The owner, not the players, deserved losing WR Moore. Will Moore have a big game this weekend? Why not?