Packers DB Rasul Douglas opens up about defending Justin Fields, D.J. Moore in Week 1

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There is buzz growing around the Bears with Justin Fields and D.J. Moore. OK, we’ll call it a growl. And Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas may be the best player to talk about it.

When Green Bay kicks off the season against Chicago, Douglas likely draws Moore as an assignment. He’ll also be aware that Fields, one of the best running quarterbacks ever, can start scrambling at any time. Fields got loose last year and humiliated some opposing defenses. And this season, the Bears add Moore to the passing game.

“I think Justin Fields is a good quarterback,” Rasul Douglas told reporters this week. “He can throw and he can run.. And when he runs, he’s like a running back. He’s not just an average runner who might slide or go out of bounds. Like no, he’s looking for all the yards he can get.”

No doubt Rasul Douglas remembers the 55-yard rushing touchdown Justin Fields scored against the Packers last season. (Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Rasul Douglas wouldn’t drop any strategy hints

The Bears selected Fields out of Ohio State with the 11th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bears started him immediately. He’s played in 27 games the past two seasons, starting 25. The Packers, with Rasul Douglas, were able to control him. He rushed for 91 yards on 14 attempts in his two games against Green Bay. He also managed a 55-yard touchdown on a called option. Douglas wouldn’t bite on questions about whether the Packers would use a spy on Fields.

Moore makes Fields, and subsequently, the Bears, more dangerous. The Bears and the Panthers were involved in a huge trade before April’s draft. The Panthers sent Moore to the Bears as part of the deal to acquire the No. 1 pick to draft Bryce Young.

Did you know that Rasul Douglas of the Packers used to be teammates with DJ Moore, the new Bears receiver. Both were in Carolina in 2020. Yjeu’ll be facing off against each other, Sunday. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

Douglas and Moore were teammates for a year. That was back in 2020, when both were on the Panthers. Moore has put together 1,000-yard seasons in three of his first five years. Overall, he’s caught 364 passes for 5,274 yards.

“He’s a dynamic threat,” Rasul Douglas said. “I played with him in Carolina and he was always good. He can get 1,000, 1,200-receiving yards every year, so just another guy that has a blanket like if things get tough, you could just get him the ball.”