Moore on Odunze’s breakout game, staying patient with Bears offense |
CHICAGO—After having the best season of his career with 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season, wide receiver DJ Moore only has 167 yards thus far this season. However, he is averaging more receptions per game this year, with 6.3 compared to 5.6 receptions per game all of last year.
While Moore has not scored his first touchdown or 100-yard season, he watched rookie receiver Rome Odunze hit both of those milestones this past Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Odunze had six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, his first touchdown as an NFL receiver. “It was amazing. He (went) out there, (won) his one-on-ones down the field, across the field, whatever you got to do. When I’m getting taken (out) of the game, either with the safety or just like cover two to my side, he was out there winning, and that’s all you can ask of him,” Moore said. “I think everything from our defense, they play around fast. So, I think the offense has slowed down for him, and the game is slowing down for him. Faster than what he thought and he’s out there just playing free now.” Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams struggled through the first two games, only throwing for 267 yards. He was also sacked nine times during that span, seven of those coming against the Houston Texans in Chicago’s second game of the season. While things have not quite gone the way Moore and the Bears offense would have hoped, Moore says Williams has continued to exude confidence and take away the positive aspect out of every game. “Confidence. Even with a loss, he (is) taking away the positive out of the loss and he wants to bounce back and figure out what he can do better for the team, for himself, just to keep growing,” Moore said. “He’s been good. I can see growth week in and week out, even though the losses can hide some of it. But, he’s been good.” Moore is used to playing with inexperienced quarterbacks from his five years with the Carolina Panthers. However, with the talent on Chicago’s roster and all of the expectations surrounding the Bears this season, some impatience is growing among the fanbase. But according to Moore, that is not something he is feeling. “The patience is still there. It’s always going to be there. It’s growing pains throughout a long season. You can go up two games and then go down two games,” Moore said. “It’s (the) NFL, so everybody (gets) paid to play this game and do it at a high level.” During his NFL career thus far, Moore has never scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, who the Bears will be playing this coming Sunday (Noon / FOX). Perhaps this game will be when this changes. Getting receiver Keenan Allen back certainly would help. He returned to practice on Wednesday but was limited. So, his status is still in question because of his heel injury. However, if he is able to return, Chicago could finally get their elite trio of Moore, Odunze, and Allen on the field together. With that combination, the Bears could get their second win of the season and return to having a non-losing record. That would allow them to keep pace in the division as the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers already have two wins; the Minnesota Vikings are alone in first with a 3-0 record.
