LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears receiver DJ Moore had just one reception for negative-4 yards in Chicago's 28-21 loss at Green Bay last Sunday.
Moore was targeted just three times in the game, which was especially perplexing considering Bears leading receiver Rome Odunze was sidelined due to a stress fracture in his foot. Moore's low usage wasn't by design in any way, Bears head coach Ben Johnson said Friday while explaining that the intention was for him to be more involved.
“We’re going to have roles, and we’re going to have plays for all of them,” Johnson said of the Bears’ options on offense. “Can we dictate necessarily where the ball is going to go? Not all the time. I said it (Monday), I wasn't anticipating him to come out of that game with only one catch. I thought we had him out there as the primary for a number of instances and we just couldn't find a way to get him the ball, whether that’s coverage dictated or other things that go on within a play.
“Do I want to get DJ Moore going? Absolutely. Do I want to get all these guys the ball? Absolutely. They’ve all earned that right, and I think it makes us a better, more well-rounded offense when we have all these guys contributing at that level.’
The 28-year-old Moore has 39 receptions for 498 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games this season. He has 66 targets, which is the second-most on the Bears behind Odunze's 90 targets. Moore hasn't had a game with more than five receptions this season. Prior to 2025, he had 45 games with six or more catches in his first seven NFL seasons.
Odunze could return Sunday, when the Bears (9-4) will host the Browns (3-10) at Soldier Field. Whether Odunze is in or out, the Bears want Moore to be a greater focus.
"There’s a lot of weapons in our offense," Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. "We try to move them all around. There’s a lot of guys that we’re trying to target, and so he gets moved around a little bit. He’s a smart player so we feel really comfortable moving him to different spots. That can be a negative or a strength depending on where we’re trying to go with the ball.
"He has done a great job of doing exactly what we’ve asked of him, and he continues to do so."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.