DJ Moore had a weird 2024 season.
The veteran wide receiver posted his third-lowest total receiving yards in his seven-year career (966) and a career-low average yards per reception (9.9) on a career-high 99 catches. He was also criticized by media and fans for his body language and demeanor on the sidelines throughout the season.
Who can blame Moore for displaying some frustration, especially after posting career highs in receiving yards (1,364), catches (98), and touchdowns (8) in 2023? The Bears also only won five games all season and went on a 10-game losing streak. That doesn’t help.
The struggles that the Bears faced last season are the reason why Ben Johnson is now the head coach in Chicago. His creative offense has been one of the best units in the league for the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions.
It’s fair to question how Johnson will be as a head coach, but there’s no denying how lethal his offense has been with him as the playcaller. That should create optimism for Caleb Williams, Moore and the rest of the Bears offense.
For Moore specifically, his red-zone production could see an uptick in 2025.
Last season, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was targeted the second-most inside the red zone at 31 times, only behind Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase (35) – according to Pro Football Reference (PFR). St. Brown caught 23 passes, the most in the NFL, for 152 yards (second-most) and nine touchdowns. Only Mark Andrews (11) and Terry McLaurin (10) had more scores in the red zone than St. Brown. When Brown was inside the 10-yard line, he caught 12 of his 15 targets for 64 yards and nine touchdowns.
Moore will fill the St. Brown role in Johnson’s offense. That’s the expectation according to one NFL wide receiver coach after speaking to him during the week of the NFL Scouting Combine.
According to PFR, Moore was targeted the 10th most in the red zone (21), but only had 13 receptions for two touchdowns last season. He was efficient inside the 10 – catching five of his six targets for 32 yards and two scores.
Johnson’s offense should create more effective opportunities for Moore in the red zone. Creativity is something Johnson has been known for as a play caller, so there should be several different ways to get Moore the ball, whether it’s by using motions, different personnel grouping, or formations.
Moore had his best statistical season in the NFL in 2023 with Luke Getsy calling plays. Let’s see what Johnson can do with the veteran wideout this upcoming season.