The Chicago Bears finally have a legitimate go-to wide receiver on the roster after searching for that guy over the last two seasons. The trade for Carolina Panthers star D.J. Moore has provided the Bears with a game-breaking talent that quarterback Justin Fields can rely on in any situation. Moore can win on all three levels of the passing game, which is why he is regarded as one of the NFL's most dynamic playmakers.
Moore's arrival will significantly impact the rest of the Bears' wide receiver depth chart. That's an obvious statement. But it's an important one nonetheless.
The Chicago Bears invested their 2023 second-round pick in Chase Claypool, whose lacking production in 2022 was given a free pass because of his midseason arrival. The rate of difficulty to assimilate into a new offense and build timing with a new quarterback that late in the year hindered his ability to make much of an impact. Still, Claypool began the offseason as the Bears' presumptive No. 1 wideout for 2023. That's not the case anymore.
I think this is the best thing that could've happened for Claypool. As talented as he is, and as high of a ceiling that he has, he isn't a proven WR1 in the NFL... yet. He could eventually become one, even in Chicago. It's hard imagining a scenario where Claypool would be Fields' favorite target now that D.J. Moore is in town, but that's how much natural talent Claypool possesses. If he doesn't emerge as a legitimate No. 1 for the Bears, he has a chance to be the NFL's most dangerous second option. If he isn't, then he'll simply be a one-year rental.
Darnell Mooney drops to WR3 (Maybe)
Darnell Mooney's window to emerge as the Bears' top pass-catcher appears to be closed post-trade. It certainly felt like Claypool had already leapfrogged him. Enter Moore, who's getting paid like an alpha and will be counted on to perform like one too.
Mooney, if healthy, should settle in as a top-shelf No. 3 who offers the Bears inside-outside ability. He has a good shot of earning a second contract with Chicago by the end of next season, and if Claypool struggles to develop into what the Bears hope he can be, Mooney is a strong candidate to be the Bears' long-term WR2.
The depth chart gets more complicated after Mooney.
Equanimeous St. Brown on roster bubble
Equanimeous St. Brown signed a one-year deal to return to Chicago as a culture guy and quality all-around receiver whose best ability is his run blocking. St. Brown was never going to be a focal point of the passing game like he had to be at times in 2022, and the addition of Moore will significantly reduce the number of meaningful reps St. Brown receives in 2023. In fact, St. Brown may not make the final roster. His dead-cap number is just $85,000. At this point, his lack of value on special teams makes his future in Chicago very much up in the air.
Velus Jones Jr. entering make-or-break season
Then comes Velus Jones Jr., whose miserable rookie season had him trending in the bust direction before totaling 70 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' season finale. It was just enough to maintain hope that he may develop into a chess piece on offense in 2023. Jones turns 26 two weeks after the NFL Draft; he's already entering a make-or-break season next year. I don't think he's a cut candidate, but if the Bears add another free agent or spend a high draft pick on a wide receiver, Jones' roster spot isn't guaranteed.
The other three relevant Chicago Bears wide receivers from the 2022 season are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this week: Byron Pringle, Dante Pettis, and N'Keal Harry. I don't think any of them will return in 2023.
The Bears have no choice but to add more talent to their wide receiver room, and it will be interesting to see how heavily they invest in the position with their league-high salary cap space and, as of now, 10 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft.