The Chicago Bears have a lot to prove in 2024, and that extends to all parts of the organization.
General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus are trying to prove they're the right men to steer the organization into the future. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is trying to prove he's already among the best at his position.
Meanwhile, there's one emerging star on the Bears who has yet to garner any sort of formal recognition for his accomplishments in the league. And a certain "worldwide leader" seems to think 2024 could be the year he takes the leap into football's upper echelon.
Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, entering his seventh season in the NFL, was named the 42nd-best player in the NFL on ESPN's yearly Top 100 list, released Monday.
"Moore has hit 1,100 receiving yards in four of his six seasons and has been incredibly efficient in his career," ESPN's Courtney Cronin said. "He ranks sixth in yards gained per offensive touch (13.8) among all NFL players in his first six seasons."
Though he has the aforementioned four 1,100-yard seasons under his belt, while playing for some very bad offenses, Moore has never so much as made a Pro Bowl. That is due in large part to his lack of touchdown production, as his eight scores last season were a new career-high.
Entering his age-27 season, Moore could be just entering the prime of his career. Though he is joined by first-round rookie Rome Odunze and decorated veteran Keenan Allen in the Chicago receiving core, Moore still looks like a number-one option in an offense ready to break out.
With the infrastructure around him to maximize his talents, Moore could be headed for another career year. And if he has the season he's capable of, Moore could find himself much higher than 42nd on lists like these come next August.
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