The Chicago Bears have designs on a deep playoff run in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, but they won't be able to realize that vision unless they get a truly exceptional performance out of top wide receiver DJ Moore.
While Moore has been as good as advertised in his brief tenure with the Bears, the team's constant losing and frustration with how he has been used at times has led to some moments of pouting on the field that would be best for everyone to cut out permanently.
Johnson is going to be hard at work installing his version of a perfect offense, but he can't do so with Moore pulling off moves like his infamous decision to walk off the field while a play was still live. Johnson has been very blunt with Moore about how to achieve that goal.
When asked what Johnson told him about trying to control his poor body language, Moore told the media that his new coach bluntly demanded "just don't do it." Fans will see if Moore actually took that message to heart in the coming months.
Bears coach Ben Johnson told DJ Moore to stop bad body language
After Moore piled up 1,364 yards in 2023, which ended up being the fourth-most in a single season by any Bears receiver, he regressed a bit in 2024. The lack of offensive consistency, along with Caleb Williams' growing pains, led to Moore failing to crack 1,000 receiving yards despite 98 catches.
Moore and the Bears were paddling upstream all season long, as a rookie quarterback with no permanent head coach or offensive coordinator is a recipe for disaster. There were times when Thomas Brown's entire offensive game plan was getting Moore the ball on screens and quick throws.
Not only will the departure of Keenan Allen free up more targets for Moore, but he will be a big part of a Johnson-led offense that got huge numbers out of a player with a similar skillset in Amon-Ra St. Brown. Moore couldn't have asked for a better hire.
If Johnson is as good as everyone says he is, and Rome Odunze takes a step forward, the Bears could have one of the best passing games in the league. Moore will be at the center of what Chicago is trying to accomplish, but he needs to be in the right mindset for Johnson's offense to operate at peak efficiency.