(670 The Score) Like fans, Bears receiver DJ Moore was surprised to see offensive coordinator Shane Waldron call for a handoff to backup offensive lineman Doug Kramer at a key moment in the fourth quarter Sunday on a disastrous play that resulted in a fumble in Chicago’s eventual 18-15 loss at Washington.
Trailing 12-7 with 6:21 remaining in the game, the Bears faced a third-and-goal from the Commanders’ 1-yard line. In a play out of the I-formation, quarterback Caleb Williams attempted to hand it off to Kramer, who was lined up as a fullback, on what would’ve been his first career carry.
But Kramer was unable to corral the handoff, and Commanders defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton recovered the fumble, which was officially credited to Williams. An opportunity for the Bears to take their first lead of the game was lost on the controversial play-calling decision.
When the sequence started, Moore was getting checked in the blue medical tent after getting banged up a few plays earlier. He came out of the tent to see the Commanders running the ball the other way, though Newton was ruled down by contact after recovering the fumble.
“I don't know the reason behind the play call,” Moore said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday morning. “It's been up for a few weeks, but I didn't think we were actually getting it called in a game like this. When I came out of the tent and just seen him running, I was just like, ‘What the hell happened?’”
Asked if it’s fair to wonder where the Bears’ confidence is in Waldron as a play-caller, Moore responded that’s a fair question for outsiders to have. But internally, the Bears carry a different view, he explained.
"For us, we've just got to go out there and do what's called and make sure we're on the details of things," Moore said.
The Bears led 15-12 with two seconds remaining, but they lost when Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ heave found receiver Noah Brown for a stunning 52-yard touchdown reception. Moore stressed the Bears offense’s job is to produce more earlier so games don’t come down to the final play.
“I don’t think it should’ve came down to them having a Hail Mary at the end,” Moore said.