DJ Moore on facing Panthers again, Odunze’s route-running ability |
CHICAGO - Wide receiver DJ Moore was part of the blockbuster trade back in March of 2023 that helped bring rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to the Bears, as well as many other players. For the second time since becoming a Chicago Bear, Moore will face his former team, the Carolina Panthers, this coming Sunday (Noon/FOX).
He does not care about facing Carolina except for the momentum it would give Chicago going into week six in London. “It was enough last year. I don’t really care this year,” Moore said. “This would mean a lot heading over into next week when we go over and play in London. Being three and two is better than being two and three. So, we want to win in that win column.” In his seventh season in the league, Moore has played with many quarterbacks. He is used to playing with inexperienced quarterbacks but has always been productive. Yet, through the first three weeks of the season, he had not recorded his first touchdown of 2024. That nearly happened in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams, but Williams and Moore were not on the same page. Nonetheless, he says he has not gotten frustrated with Williams and is glad to see Williams growing as a quarterback and taking the check-downs when necessary. “We (were) all rookies at one point, being a vet. So, I know what he’s going through. You can’t be too frustrated. I mean, you could be frustrated with the way you’re playing as a player. But, not at a young guy that’s still coming along,” Moore said. “Every quarterback (wants) the big play. But, if it’s not there or they can’t see it, the checkdown will be open because everybody else is downfield. So, never go broke, taking a profit. That’s what my coach (says). So, that’s what (we’re doing).” After talking about the missed opportunity in the first half, Moore and Williams were able to connect in the second half for a nine-yard touchdown. It was an elite catch from Moore, who knew he could make the play with only a linebacker on him. That catch also marked Williams’ third career touchdown pass and his longest touchdown pass. “I probably was like second or third (in the read). But, I knew it was going to have to get back to me because it was a linebacker,” Moore said. “So, I was like, ‘If this thing (doesn’t) get back this way, we might have some more discussions on the sideline’ and it ended up getting back, so it was no discussion on the sideline. It was all happy vibes. Most of the time, it is happy vibes. So, I gave him the ball after that. So, I was ecstatic for him.” Another rookie who has been making strides throughout the first four weeks is rookie receiver Rome Odunze. Odunze exploded in Chicago’s game against the Indianapolis Colts in week three; he had six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, which also marked Williams’ first touchdown pass. When the Bears took on the Rams, Moore noted Odunze’s speed as he was running routes. “He (was) rolling off the ball,” Moore said. “This past weekend, I think he took off on a route (and) he was wide open. I was like, ‘Dang, he (was) moving.’ I even (saw) him out the side of my eye. I was like, ‘Am I going slow, or is he just moving fast?’ But, just his speed and confidence out there, just going out there playing free.”
