Among the many surprises coming out of spring practices for the Chicago Bears is the budding connection between quarterback Justin Fields and new wide receiver D.J. Moore. Everybody expected the two to become a solid pairing eventually, but not this fast. It often takes a few months to find a true rhythm for a QB and receiver who are new to each other. Nobody told that to Fields and Moore. Since the start of OTAs last month, they've been connecting on positive plays in every single practice. One would think they've played together for multiple seasons.
It turns out there is a reason for this. Fields was asked about how things managed to develop at such a rapid pace. Sure, it had to do with Moore being highly talented with speed, quickness, and strong hands. However, none of those are his greatest strength. The quarterback found that out once they started practicing together.
"It did come on quickly. I didn't really expect anything because it's different for each guy, but I feel like with DJ, his body language is pretty easy to read. Early on we communicated on how we want each route ran and stuff like that. Of course, he has a lot of experience. He's been in the league for a good period of time now. He's played a lot of football, so he knows different coverages really well. That's one thing that I was kind of impressed about with the offense coming in and just understanding, seeing coverages really well on short routes and stuff like that. He's been great. And you know, the chemistry has really picked up."
That is a common misconception for casual fans.
They think quarterbacks are the only ones who read defensive coverages before the snap. That is not true. Receivers must do the same. The type of coverage being played always determines the type of route they're going to run. Moore's ability to read coverage means the chances of him getting open are far more frequent, hence why Fields already feels comfortable looking his way.
Justin Fields didn't have that luxury last season.
Of his wide receivers in 2022, only one of them seemed to know how to read coverages and exploit them with any consistency. That was Darnell Mooney. Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones, and Dante Pettis never showed similar capabilities. Fields hasn't had somebody like that since college when he played with Chris Olave. Those two lit defenses up in two years together. So it's getting easier to understand why Moore had no problems finding a groove with his new quarterback.
The hope is somebody else in the receiving corps can reach a similar level. Mooney feels like the obvious favorite for that. He and Justin Fields already have a strong connection. He should return from his ankle injury last season when training camp begins. From there, it will be up to Jones, Claypool, or rookie Tyler Scott to step up. If somebody does, this passing attack could be one of the most dynamic the Bears have had in a decade. Maybe then people will finally get off Fields' back.
