Getty
Wide receiver DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears‘ run game has been a revelation under head coach Ben Johnson, but the pass attack has plenty of wrinkles that demand further ironing out.
One of the most prominent flaws is what has appeared to be at best a disconnect and at worst a rift between quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Moore entered Chicago’s pivotal Week 16 contest against the Green Bay Packers on track for the lowest reception and yardage totals of what has been an impressive eight-year NFL career. More than once, Moore has expressed his emotions on the sideline during games.
However, Williams and Moore may have turned a page Saturday night, December 20. Down wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, Williams turned to Moore in some of the game’s biggest moments, including a 46-yard touchdown pass in overtime that sealed a 10-point fourth quarter comeback and put the Bears firmly in control of the NFC North Division.
Moore finished the evening with five catches for 97 yards and the game-winning score. After the contest, the 28-year-old receiver took to social media with a brief, but affirming, message on his relationship with his quarterback.
“My QB 🤞,” Moore captioned a repost of Fox Sports’ postgame interview video between Williams and broadcaster Tom Brady.
DJ Moore Has Embraced Winning Culture With Bears This Year
GettyChicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore.
Chicago’s victory Saturday, and the Detroit Lions’ corresponding loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, guaranteed the Bears a spot in the playoffs as at least a wildcard team.
Amid his frustrations in 2025, which have ebbed and flowed, Moore spoke ahead of last week’s contest about what it means to him to finally be on a winning team that can actually contend for a title this postseason and in the years to come.
“It feels amazing. I get to see what everybody else get to hype about — playing in December and January,” Moore told “Good Morning Football” during a December 18 appearance. “So I’m looking forward to it, and this year has been fun, outside of the stats and everything. Just building a bond with this team has been fun.”
DJ Moore Among Top Trade Candidates for Bears Heading Into Offseason
GettyQuarterback Caleb Williams (left) and head coach Ben Johnson (right) of the Chicago Bears.
Moore was the embodiment of elation Saturday night, as not only did he experience the joy of a thrilling comeback win, he participated as one of the primary contributors to his team’s success during a massive moment in front of millions of fans.
That combination feels like precisely what Moore wants, and potentially what he might be able to achieve with regularity in Chicago, as the wideout begins a four-year extension worth $110 million in 2026.
But that said, the Bears have financial considerations to make as they continue to try and improve the entire roster. There is a huge void of at least one pass-rusher, if not multiple, off the edge. Meanwhile, Chicago could upgrade the left tackle position and add cornerback depth.
Next April’s draft will provide the opportunity to do some of that, but after several years of enormous quantities of draft capital and salary cap space, the Bears own just seven selections in 2026 (including only three inside the top 100) and have a minimal $1.24 million at their disposal for free agency next year.
Chicago is inevitably going to clear room by moving some salaries, and Moore represents the team’s largest cap hit at $28.5 million. The Bears can save $24.5 million by trading him with a post-June 1 designation, plus land a viable draft asset — perhaps even one late on Day 2.
The franchise doesn’t necessarily have to make that move, but it’s certainly one Chicago must consider with young and inexpensive pass-catching talent all around Williams at both the WR and tight end positions. That could mean Moore’s happiness in Chicago, and his relationship with Williams, may be short-lived beyond the upcoming playoff run.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
More Heavy on Bears
Loading more stories
