Bears' D.J. Moore discusses future of Justin Fields

Wide receiver D.J. Moore has spent less than one full season playing alongside quarterback Justin Fields but still believes the Chicago Bears have their long-term starting signal-caller already on the roster. 

"Somebody asked me that last week," Moore said about Fields' future following Chicago's 20-17 loss at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I’m still like, where are you all seeing this? What makes him not the quarterback for the Chicago Bears right now?" 

Moore joined the Bears via the offseason trade with the Carolina Panthers that could result in Chicago holding the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fields hinted earlier this month that he understands the team's current regime or a new one could use the draft's top choice on either USC Trojans star Caleb Williams or Drake Maye of the North Carolina Tar Heels. 

In a mock draft updated last week, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports predicted that the Bears would draft Maye over Williams. Walter Football currently links Chicago with Williams instead of Maye. 

"I get y'all got everybody coming out," Moore said about the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class. "What, it’s like two of them? I don’t think they’re better than Justin." 

While it's admirable that Moore endorsed his teammate ahead of Christmas, the fact remains Fields likely hasn't done enough to silence questions doubters have about his ability to become an elite passer at the highest level. 

According to ESPN stats, Fields ended the weekend ranked 23rd in the NFL among qualified players with a 42.4 adjusted QBR, 22nd with an 85.6 passer rating and tied for 27th with a 61.4% completion percentage on the season. Fields tossed 14 touchdown passes and eight interceptions across his first 10 games of the campaign. 

The 5-9 Bears next host the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals this coming Sunday.