DJ Moore adjusting to slot role in loaded Bears offense

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 1 day ago

CHICAGO - Going into his eighth season, wide receiver DJ Moore has played for a lot of head coaches and in a lot of different schemes. However, it seems none of his previous experiences compares to being coached by Ben Johnson.

Johnson is an intense coach who demands perfection from his players.

“It’s fun, but intense. A lot of hard work goes into it and you got to be on your P’s and Q’s and you got to know the playbook … It’s not hard unless you (are) not studying. If you (are) studying and being on your stuff and knowing different spots, you’d be okay,” Johnson said. “You got (to look) deep down in yourself and be like, ‘Did I really mess up? Did I execute the play at the highest level that I can? Was I slacking or was it perfect?’ So, that’s what he wants - perfection - but we know we all can’t be perfect every play. So, just being as close as we can is the best thing.”

In addition to working with numerous coaches, Moore has also played with many quarterbacks during his five years with the Carolina Panthers and the Bears. However, quarterback Caleb Williams gave Moore something he was unfamiliar with - the same starting quarterback all season.

While the coaching staff let Williams down last year and likely hindered his development, Moore has seen him make significant progress since Johnson took over as the head coach.

“A lot of growth. You can tell he’s on his A-game everyday because I know he probably gets it the most out of everybody because he’s the quarterback and he wants to be perfect in himself and then the staff wants him to be perfect to lead this offense,” Moore said. “Just taking control of the huddle, knowing his playbook and just being a leader that he is at the quarterback spot.”

For the second straight season, the Chicago Bears drafted a wide receiver early in the draft. First, it was Rome Odunze in the first round of 2024. Most recently, it was Luther Burden III early in the second round in 2025.

Burden III has yet to sign his rookie contract, like most players drafted in the second round.

“Their role, they’re keeping me young even though I ain’t that old in the room, Rome just turned 23 (on June 4),” Moore said. “Just seeing them follow behind my lead and just grow from there. Rome’s taken a step this year. I can already tell and then who we drafted in the second round, I can’t wait to see what he do. I seen him in rookie minicamp doing a lot of things. So, that’s that.”

Between Moore, Odunze, Burden III and Chicago’s two talented tight ends - Cole Kmet and rookie Colston Loveland - there are a lot of players who should get their hands on the ball this season.

While this is a good problem to have, it has also left Moore wondering what his role will be in Chicago’s offense this season, as Johnson was experimenting with Moore in the slot during mandatory minicamp, a position Moore has not typically played in his first seven seasons.

“I don’t even know if I’m going to touch the ball as much as I did some years or if I’m going to be used the same way and just go from there,” Moore said.