Caleb Williams and D.J. Moore
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Bears Need to Fix Caleb Williams – D.J. Moore Connection

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 4, 2024

D.J. Moore has been the primary target of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams through four games, but the duo is lacking, among other things, chemistry and fluidity. Moore leads the team with 22 catches and 34 targets for 189 yards but has looked nothing like the dynamic receiver that amassed 1,364 yards on 96 receptions in 2023.

According to the NFL’s NextGen Stats, Williams is sixth in the league in average intended air yards at 8.4, behind Anthony Richardson (12.6), Brock Purdy (10.7), Trevor Lawrence (10.6), Jordan Love (10.2) and Kyler Murray (8.7). His average completed air yards is just 4.9, 29th in the NFL. The downfield attempts are there, but the completions are not. Williams has been off-target a little more than most fans would like.

The connection itself isn’t the only problem. Pass protection hasn’t been optimal and the Bears had virtually no running game until last Sunday’s win at home against the Rams. Chicago was also helped by a couple of defensive holding penalties by Los Angeles that negated sacks. Moore and Justin Fields had their first productive game in Week 4 last season before Moore erupted for three touchdowns while snagging eight passes for 230 yards in a nationally televised game against the Commanders the following week.

A repeat performance of that game would be just what the doctor ordered.

Moore understands the learning curve with a new quarterback, especially one who’s a rookie, but he’s still frustrated. There’s no problem between the veteran receiver and the rookie quarterback no matter how it may look otherwise. Moore has been visibly frustrated several times this season, and the television cameras always seem to catch him.

“The faces and stuff, they’re just faces,” Moore said. “I’m like, ‘Dang, we could’ve connected,’ or something could’ve been better on that play. I’m not really worried about what people put out there because, as a person, I’m never frustrated. When a play doesn’t go as well as we wanted it to, I’m [upset], but after that moment, I’m back to the regular me.

“We were all rookies at one point. I know what he’s going through. You can’t be too frustrated. I mean, you can be frustrated with the way you’re playing as a player, but not at a young guy who’s still coming along.”

As a veteran, trying to establish a connection with a rookie isn’t always easy. You may remember that Aaron Rodgers and Christian Watson took about 4-5 games in 2022 before they hit their stride. Watson’s development was nearly meteoric once that happened, but he regressed a bit once Jordan Love replaced Rodgers.

The Panthers might be the remedy that Williams and Moore need. Carolina has five sacks through four games and has allowed third-down conversions on 49.1% of offensive attempts. They’ve also committed five pass interference penalties. Cornerback Jaycee Horn, the team’s best defensive back, has two of those infractions. The Panthers also have the league’s worst red zone defense, allowing touchdowns on 11 of 12 opponent trips inside the 20.

The Bears are facing Carolina at an opportune time. Defensive lineman Derrick Brown was lost for the season last month with a meniscus tear. He was the team’s lone Pro Bowl selection in 2023 and his loss has hurt the Panthers’ pass rush. Inside linebacker Shaq Thompson tore his Achilles tendon last week and is done for the year. That means tight end Cole Kmet could have a big game this week, too.

D’Andre Swift is also in a good spot to have another big game. The Panthers have a bottom-five run defense, allowing an average of 148.8 yards per game. Swift totaled 165 all-purpose yards against the Rams last week after struggling through Chicago’s first three games. Still, getting Moore untracked should be Chicago’s greatest priority.

“We’ve just got to do a good job of them working together with different variations of coverages during that time,” head coach Matt Eberflus said after the game. “They just have to be on the same page there in terms of going vertical or leaning out or leaning in. Those guys will get that. With more time on task, those guys will get that continuity.”

Williams and Moore have a nice window to find that chemistry. Chicago’s next five opponents rank in the NFL’s bottom six in yards allowed per pass attempt.

  • Panthers: 7.28, 27th
  • Jaguars: 7.68, 30th
  • Commanders: 7.47, 28th
  • Cardinals: 8.09, 31st
  • Patriots: 7.53, 29th

Williams is averaging 5.58 yards on 141 total targets with 87 completions. That number has to come up because the Bears are at the bottom of the league in explosive passing plays. Williams had two last week, a 27-yard screen to Swift and a 22-yard bullet up the seam to Kmet. But he has just six completions of 20 yards or more this season which ranks 30th, tied with the Chargers. The Patriots are last with four.

“Every quarterback wants a big play,” Moore said. “But if it’s not there or they can’t see it, the checkdown is going to be open. … I mean, you never go broke taking a profit.”

Williams be more successful downfield once he gets acclimated to the nuances of the offense and his receivers. Many of us were a little emotionally exuberant thinking about a wide receiver group that includes Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. Williams, for all his physical gifts, is still a rookie, and a good one at that. We’ll have a better idea of just how good he is once we’ve seen how he attacks Chicago’s next five opponents.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterOctober 4, 2024
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