Revenge is a dish best served sweet and in Week 5, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore finally got his revenge against his former team, the Carolina Panthers.
Even though Moore said Sunday's matchup was just a normal game against the team that drafted him, and traded him to Chicago, he was quick to stick it to Carolina.
On the Bears second offensive drive of the game, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams connected with Moore for a wide open 34-yard touchdown.
And just before the first-half came to a close, Moore and Williams connected again on a beautiful 30-yard touchdown.
The early score was Moore's first against his former team after being held out of the end zone during his first matchup against the Panthers in 2023. Whether or not he wants to admit it, today had to feel good for the Bears top pass catcher.
When the Panthers traded Moore to the Bears in a deal that also sent Williams to Chicago, multiple Panthers players were upset to see Moore leave. And now, he's being used in a big way against some of his former teammates.
🗣️ Go DJ, that's our DJ
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 6, 2024
📺: #CARvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/v8paLbOM3i
“Guys felt some type of way that he was gone because he was a main guy in this franchise," Panthers CB Jaycee Horn said via Sports Illustrated earlier this week. "Any time you lose a guy like that- 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.”
The first touchdown was also the first score the Bears offense has managed to execute in the first quarter of any game this season. Heading into Week 5, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron noted starting fast would be a major point of emphasis for his unit. After that score, things are already looking better.
Chicago started the game with a three-and-out on offense and needed to find an answer after the defense allowed a 38-yard touchdown to Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard. On Thursday defensive coordinator Eric Washington noted that Hubbard will be a difficult back to defend against and he's already causing some problems early in Week 5.
Williams and Moore connected three times for 87 yards and two scores in the first half.
