Ben Johnson provides clarity on Caleb Williams-DJ Moore misfire in Ravens meltdown

Before the Chicago Bears lost 30-16 to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Caleb Williams and the offense had one last chance to put points on the scoreboard. 

After the Bears failed to cross the goal line on a third-down quarterback sneak from the one-yard line, the offense faced fourth-and-goal. Williams had plenty of time to throw, searched for an open target, and fired a pass intended for DJ Moore towards the back line of the end zone. 

Moore stopped his route in the middle of the end zone, and Williams threw his pass ahead of his receiver, thinking he would continue his route. 

Even though the play wouldn’t have impacted the result of the Week 8 game, the incompletion sparked a heavy debate on social media. Did Williams just miss a wide-open receiver? Or should Moore have kept his route going? 

Bears fans get the proper explanation needed on the play

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson provided some clarity on the play during his Wednesday media availability. 

“For that particular play, he's (Moore) running the back line,” Johnson said. “He does have the ability to shut it down in an open window. It's a unique look where there happens to be a second-level defender in the area that he shut it down. Do I wish he would've stayed on the move? Sure. But I also know at this level that, that's open and we have two really good players right there. We can find a way to hook up.”

If Moore had stayed the course of his route, he likely would have caught his second touchdown of the season. But Johnson also acknowledged that the quarterback, receiver combo “can find a way to hook up” even after Moore stops his route. 

Regardless of who was wrong or right, the main problem is that Williams and Moore continue to have a disconnect in the passing game. Through eight games, Moore has just 26 receptions for 331 yards and one touchdown. 

For this passing game to continue to ascend, Williams must find ways to build his chemistry with all of his pass catchers, and Moore should be the top priority. The veteran receiver has four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his eight-year career. He’s someone who can help elevate Williams’ play in Year 2. 

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“I think for all of our players, to go on second half of that question, that's always a work in progress,” Johnson said on the chemistry between Williams and Moore. “That's why the week of work is so important for us. I think the passing game, it's a continual evolution. You get new routes in each week, maybe some that you haven't thrown since early in the season or training camp. You’ve got to make sure you stay on it so that you know where everyone's going to be, and you build that trust and rapport with each other.”