Former USC Trojans and the current Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and his star wide receiver DJ Moore have yet to find a consistent connection in Williams’ rookie season. The Bears are 4-4 and have suffered back-to-back losses to the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals.
Through eight games, Moore has caught 37 of Williams’ 60 targets, totaling 374 yards and three touchdowns. Moore’s three receiving scores from Williams are tied for the team lead with tight end Cole Kmet.
“It’s obviously not in a place, from the last few games, a place where either of us would like it,” Williams said. “It’s frustrating because you have such a special guy, and not being able to connect and hit certain passes is frustrating for myself and I know it’s frustrating for him.”
November 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) talks with wide receiver DJ Moore (2) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn images
Moore leads the Bears in receptions and targets through eight games, and only rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze has more receiving yards with 391.
“Especially as a wide receiver you only get so many opportunities, so often the ball comes your way in a game,” Williams said. “I don’t want to put it past him that it’s frustrating, but we have to find out.”
Chicago’s last game was a 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Williams was sacked six times, and the starting quarterback threw for 217 yards with a 53.7 completion percentage. Odunze led the team with 104 receiving yards on five receptions. Moore caught four of Williams’ nine targets for 33 yards.
Wait….DJ Moore walked off the field during a play?? pic.twitter.com/YWf2YjaBmq
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) November 4, 2024
In the first quarter of the Bears-Cardinals game, Moore appeared to give up the game by running out of bounds while Williams was executing one of his patented scrambles.
Once Moore was out of bounds, he was no longer eligible to receive a pass from Williams without a flag being thrown by the officials. Moore spoke to the media after the game and he clarified that he sprained his ankle during the game.
“I came back … because I saw Caleb (Williams) scrambling, and my ankle was going in and out,” Moore said. “I couldn’t stop anymore, so my momentum took me out of bounds and I just walked away.”
Next to Moore, Williams seemed to be suffering from one injury against Arizona after limping off the field. However, the Bears’ starting quarterback was not listed on the team’s injury report as they prepared for the game New England Patriots.
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