It’s cliché, but goodbyes can be bittersweet.
And I imagine former Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore was feeling some feelings when he posted his goodbye to his former team:
Moore put up 364 catches, 5,201 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns in 80 games with the Panthers. That three-year run from 2019-21 — in which Moore came up with 246 receptions, 3,525 yards, and 12 touchdowns — was a special time for him. And I’d bet he’ll back fondly at his time in Carolina.
But when one door closes, another one opens. For Moore, a trip to Chicago awaits. Once he arrives, he will be met by new coaches, teammates, and a football-starved fanbase that is eager to cheer on its new favorite WR1. I suppose that part of the beauty that comes with goodbye is that it also comes with a hello on the other side.
The Bears-Panthers deal isn’t officially official just yet. It can’t reach that status until the new league year begins on Wednesday. But I’m looking forward to putting that officially official stamp on the trade. And I doubt I’m the only one who feels this way.
In the meantime, how about some highlights to hold us over: