DJ Moore: Caleb Williams' potential was 'part of the reason' he signed extension with Bears

In 2022, DJ Moore signed a contract extension with the Carolina Panthers through the 2025 season. A year later, they traded him to the Chicago Bears – and he’s staying in the Windy City for the foreseeable future with a four-year extension to that deal he signed with Carolina.

Moore is set to be with the Bears through the 2029 season after signing a $110 million extension with $82.6 million in guarantees on Tuesday. He made an immediate impact in Chicago last season after coming over in the landmark trade for the No. 1 pick, and the Bears rewarded him.

Of course, he also has a new quarterback with plenty of potential. Caleb Williams is now in after the Bears selected him with a pick they acquired from Carolina, which wound up being No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

When asked about what role that played in his decision to sign an extension, Moore smiled. He then said Williams’ skillset and high ceiling was a factor.

“Yes. That’s part of the reason,” Moore said. “I think Caleb’s gonna be excellent. He’s gonna be a superstar. I just wanted to be a part of that.”

DJ Moore praises how Caleb Williams handles Bears defense

Moore was a staunch defender of Justin Fields last season and called for Chicago to keep him as the franchise weighed its decision at No. 1. But with Fields now in Pittsburgh and Williams at quarterback, he’s all-in.

Williams is making quite an impression through the first part of training camp, as well. Moore said he sees the way the former USC star handles himself with the defense and how he tries to get better. Those are characteristics that stand out and make his potential so intriguing.

“Shoot, just how he handles our defense,” Moore said. “He dices them up, they show something new at him, he goes around asking them questions on how he can be better with it. I know he takes everything in one ear and it just stays there. And then, he goes out there and carves them up probably the next two plays. It’s just amazing to watch.”

Moore totaled 1,364 yards – the most by a Bears receiver since Alshon Jeffrey in 2013 – and eight touchdowns. The extension cements Moore as a centerpiece of the offense with a new era starting this season.

Moore could be looking at another big year in 2024, and he won’t be alone in the receiver room. The Bears selected Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft after a standout career at Washington, and they traded for Keenan Allen to add a veteran presence to the unit, as well. That creates a three-headed monster and perhaps the best situation for a rookie quarterback in history.