The Chicago Bears have gathered a group of talented players on the offensive side of the football. This has caused excitement among the team members as the NFL draft approaches.
Wide receiver DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet both recently talked with Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com about the addition of Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen, Pro Bowl running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett.
Speaking specifically about himself and Allen, Moore said they will give opposing defenses limited options.
“The defense is in a tough spot,” Moore told Mayer on Thursday, April 4. “One player has more experience, while the other is learning but has a good understanding of the game.”
In a more general sense, Kmet talked about the depth of the skill positions.
“It seems like we could have a very powerful offense in 2024,” he said.
Addition of Keenan Allen, Breakout Year for DJ Moore Bode Well for New Era of Bears’ Offense
GettyNew Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Both Moore and Kmet praised Allen’s experience as an 11-year NFL veteran and a Pro Bowl selection in six of his last seven seasons.
“The way he approaches his releases and gets open,” Moore said. “It’s unique. It’s effortless and smooth. He has done it for many years.”
Kmet echoed his teammate’s feelings.
“He has been performing at a high level for a long time,” Kmet said of Allen. “The way he runs his routes, he is very skilled and does it at an elite level, and that’s why he has been successful for so long.”
Allen’s experience and success, along with Moore’s exceptional year in 2023 (96 receptions for 1,364 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns) will be important for the development of the rookie quarterback that Chicago is likely to select with the No. 1 overall pick later this month.
The team traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick and has the top selection in a draft with a lot of quarterback talent. Caleb Williams of USC is the favorite to join the Bears and met with the team in Chicago earlier this week.
Bears Also Added to Run Game This Offseason With D’Andre Swift
GettyRunning back D’Andre Swift, previously with the Philadelphia Eagles.
If Williams becomes the Bears quarterback and fulfills some of the comparisons he has received from draft analysts, particularly to reigning Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, Chicago’s passing attack should be strong from the start of the season.
But the team also improved its running back group in free agency, signing Swift to a three-year deal worth $24 million total following his first Pro Bowl season.
“He can do everything. He is an explosive back in the passing game and the running game, and is familiar with the outside zone scheme. That should benefit us greatly,” Kmet said about the Bears’ new running back. “He should be a versatile back who opens up opportunities for everyone. When you have a running back who can come out of the backfield and run choice routes and option routes and all those things, that can be really beneficial to an offense.”