(Audacy) In their first game since trading the No. 1 overall pick for dynamic receiver DJ Moore and draft assets, the Bears threw the ball 37 times.
Somehow, just two of those attempts were ticketed for Moore.
It was a baffling series of events, as the Bears largely stayed away from their new No. 1 receiver in a 38-20 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field. Receiver Darnell Mooney, tight end Cole Kmet and rookie running back Roschon Johnson all had seven targets, while running back Khalil Herbert (five) and running back D’Onta Foreman (three) also saw more passes than Moore.
The loss as a whole was discouraging, but the inability to get Moore involved in the offense was particularly concerning. Asked Monday in his weekly appearance on the Mully & Haugh Show if he wanted the ball more, the 26-year-old Moore took the high road.
“I would say probably so, but that’s just how the chips fell this past Sunday,” Moore said. “I can’t dwell on it -- just go in and get better this week.
“Just watch the film with everybody, like the whole offense, and just go about it a certain way,” Moore later added when asked if he’d ever talk to the coaching staff about his targets. “I won’t say that I need the ball more to them, because that’s not the type of person I am and player I am for the team.
“So, whatever best fits the team, if there are plays in there for me that we need to work on that I can get the ball more, then I’m for it. But if not, I won’t have no hassle about it.”
Moore caught both of his targets Sunday for 25 yards. Playing for the Panthers in 2022, he was targeted 118 times, finishing with 63 receptions for 888 yards with seven touchdowns. While he set a career-high in touchdowns, it was his first season in three years that Moore didn't have more than 1,000 yards receiving.