30 Most Important Bears of 2025: DJ Moore (No. 11)

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.

Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Next up No. 11 is wide receiver DJ Moore, who could be one of the biggest beneficiaries with the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson.

Background

Position: Wide receiver

Age: 28

Experience: 8th season

2025 cap hit: $24.9 million

2024 recap

Moore signed a massive four-year, $110 million extension before the start of the 2024 season, keeping one of the team's most important players under contract through 2029. Unfortunately, what followed was an underwhelming season for Moore, who still had a career-high 98 receptions for 966 yards (leading the team) and six touchdowns. But it came on the heels of a career year in 2023. Moore and quarterback Caleb Williams had some connection issues at times, but that's something that will be fixed with reps. Not only production wise, but Moore was criticized for his poor body language at times during last year's disastrous 5-12 record that included a 10-game losing streak. It was an overall forgettable season for all, but there's nowhere to go but up.

2025 outlook

Moore remains the undisputed No. 1 wideout with the Bears as new head coach Ben Johnson steps in to run the offense. Despite a down year where he finished just shy of 1,000 receiving yards, Moore has the potential to thrive in Johnson's offense. At times last year, Moore looked frustrated and body language is something this new coaching staff has already emphasized. Winning should also help that. But, with some young players in that receiving room, Moore needs to step up as a leader. There will be no shortage of weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams, but Moore figures to be one of his favorites as the pair continue to build their chemistry. While there are a lot of mouths to feed on offense, if Moore returns to form, he could be eyeing his fifth 1,000-yard season. Any way you look at it, Moore appears poised for a bounce back season in Johnson's first year.

Big question: Will Moore thrive in Ben Johnson's offense?

Moore has been the Bears' top wideout since he was acquired in a mega trade back in 2023. In his first season with Chicago, Moore had a career year with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. His receptions ranked ninth-best for a single season in franchise history, his yards fourth best and his touchdowns 15th best. Unfortunately, Moore regressed in his second season with Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator (at least for half of the season) with 98 receptions for 966 yards and six scores. Now, with one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds in Ben Johnson leading the charge, the expectation is for this Bears offense to soar -- and Moore could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. Although, there are no shortage of weapons -- including Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III -- so it won't be all on Moore to help elevate this offense. But he should remain a favorite target for Caleb Williams with potential to excel in the slot.

30 Most Important Bears of 2025

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: DJ Moore (No. 11)