Denniston Oliver Moore Jr. Bio
Denniston Oliver “D. J.” Moore Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Moore was traded to the Bears in March 2023, marking a significant transition in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
D. J. Moore was born on April 14, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School, where he excelled in football and began to develop his skills as a wide receiver. Moore is of Jamaican descent through his father and committed to the University of Maryland, College Park, to further his football career.
Path to American Football
Moore played college football for the Maryland Terrapins from 2015 to 2017 under head coaches Randy Edsall, Mike Locksley, and D. J. Durkin. During his freshman year, he made an immediate impact by starting 10 of Maryland’s 12 games, recording 25 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns. His sophomore season saw him start all 13 games, culminating in 41 receptions for 637 yards and six touchdowns. In his junior year, he set a school record with 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him the titles of First-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Receiver of the Year. Following this successful college career, Moore declared for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Denniston Oliver Moore Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
D. J. Moore was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round as the 24th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, becoming the first wide receiver drafted that year. He signed a four-year deal worth $11.2 million with a $6.2 million signing bonus. Moore made his NFL debut in the Panthers’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, where he recorded his first professional catch the following week—a 51-yard touchdown reception. In his rookie season, he finished with 55 receptions for 788 yards and two touchdowns, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. His performance established him as a promising talent in the league.
Breakthrough (2019–2022)
In the 2019 season, Moore continued to build on his success, finishing with 87 receptions for 1,175 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. His standout performances included a game against the Arizona Cardinals where he caught a 52-yard touchdown pass. In 2020, he recorded 66 receptions for 1,193 yards and four touchdowns, and in 2021, he had 93 receptions for 1,157 yards and four touchdowns. On March 18, 2022, Moore signed a three-year, $61.9 million contract extension with the Panthers, solidifying his position as a key player for the team. However, the 2022 season saw him finish with 63 receptions for 888 receiving yards and a career-high seven touchdowns, breaking his streak of three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Notable Works and Milestones
Moore left the Panthers fourth in franchise history with 5,201 receiving yards. His career highlights include being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team and receiving accolades as Big Ten Receiver of the Year during his college career.
Denniston Oliver Moore Jr. Award Nominations
Throughout his career, D. J. Moore has received several nominations and accolades, including being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018 and earning First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2017.
Denniston Oliver Moore Jr. Awards Won
D. J. Moore has achieved notable awards during his career, including the Big Ten Receiver of the Year in 2017 and selections to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018.
Denniston Oliver Moore Jr. Family
Information regarding D. J. Moore’s family background is limited, with no publicly available details about his parents or siblings.
Personal Life
D. J. Moore’s personal life remains largely private, with no confirmed details about his marital status or children. He focuses primarily on his professional football career and has established himself as a prominent athlete in the NFL.
