Is the Bears Star Receiver Ready to Carry the Passing Game?
The injury bug is hitting the Chicago Bears at the worst possible time. Heading into a pivotal matchup with the Green Bay Packers, they are down two of their best receivers. The team's leading receiver, Rome Odunze, and breakout rookie Luther Burden III have both been ruled out. This leaves the receiver room thin and down to very few options. Luckily, they still have one of the top players on the team, D.J. Moore.
Odunze is dealing with a foot injury that has kept him out for the past two weeks. He was set to return last week, but reinjured his foot during pregame warmups. Burden, who has recently been breaking out, hurt his ankle this past week against the Cleveland Browns. Injuries have plagued the Bears the entire year. However, they have had players step up every week. This week, Moore will look to turn his season around.
2025 has been one of the least productive seasons of Moore’s career. The former first-round pick only has 43 catches for 567 yards and five touchdowns. When compared to past seasons, it is especially noticeable. His low production has led to trade rumors all season long. Many fans believe that there is no longer a spot in the offense due to the breakout of the younger talent. However, despite the disappointing numbers, he still possesses the talent and experience to step up when the team needs him. This sets the stage for why Moore could emerge as a leader and difference maker in this week’s matchup.
This past week against the Browns, Moore showed his potential to be the top guy with arguably his best game of the year. He recorded four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. That performance could serve as a turning point, boosting his confidence and positioning him for an expanded role moving forward, especially with the key injuries. At 28 years old, he also has experience, having served as the main guy in the passing game for a majority of his career. This includes the past two years for Chicago.
Moore is being thrust into a spot he has not been in for most of the season. He is also likely to be focused on by the Packers' defense, which could limit production. However, there may not be a choice but to target him heavily. The run game and tight end room are likely going to be used heavily this week, but it may not be enough. In order to win, Chicago is going to need to have explosive plays in the pass game. This situation gives Moore a prime opportunity to prove he can handle the pressure, rise to the challenge, and show he still deserves to be a focal point of the offense.
