How David Moore’s arrest impacts Bears wide receivers

Chicago Bears wide receiver David Moore was arrested for drug and weapons chargers on July 4, according to KXII News 12. Moore, 27, signed a one-year deal with the Bears this offseason and was expected to factor into a wide-open receiver competition this summer.

Moore is the third Bears player arrested this offseason. Wide receiver Byron Pringle was arrested for reckless driving. Linebacker Matt Adams was arrested for illegal gun possession.

Before his arrest, Moore’s chances to make the Bears’ final roster were good. He joined Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr., and fellow free-agent signing Equanimeous St. Brown as the likely top receivers on the depth chart. Now, it’s unclear whether Moore will be on the team when training camp kicks off.

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David Moore’s arrest increases odds for other WRs to make final roster

Moore’s arrest bumps up the odds that players like Tajae Sharpe and Dante Pettis make the opening-day squad. It should create an opportunity for second-year wideout Dazz Newsome to make his mark, too. It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Moore, who had a chance to rewrite his career narrative in Chicago.

Prior to joining the Bears, Moore was an emerging playmaker with the Seattle Seahawks. He finished his second season in the league with 26 catches for 445 yards and five touchdowns. In 2020, Moore’s last with the Seahawks, he scored a career-high six touchdowns. It’s been downhill for him since. He signed a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers during the 2021 offseason but failed to make the roster out of training camp. He bounced between the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos in 2021, appearing in just three games.

The Chicago Bears could add another wide receiver before training camp if general manager Ryan Poles cuts ties with Moore, who’s innocent until proven guilty.