Before the 2025 regular season even began, Ben Johnson had an important message for former Bears wide receiver DJ Moore: “No block, no rock.”
Since that time, Moore had the worst statistical season of his eight-year career, and despite having some of the team’s more memorable moments — including two game-winning touchdown catches against the rival Green Bay Packers — Chicago traded him and his $24 million cap hit to the Buffalo Bills.
There’s been loads of speculation about exactly why the Bears parted with Moore, and his hefty contract is very likely the primary reason. But in a March 6 episode of the Spiegel & Holmes Show, former quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan suggested Moore’s lack of effort on plays in which he wasn’t the targeted receiver could have ultimately frustrated the Bears head coach.
Might Moore’s perceived route-laziness be another reason the team decided to part ways with him? It’s certainly possible.
Was Ben Johnson & Chicago Bears Frustration With DJ Moore’s Lack of Effort the Reason the WR Was Traded?
GettyWas Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore’s perceived lack of effort a reason Ben Johnson and company traded him?
O’Sullivan, who spent nine years as a QB in the NFL, is currently a film analyst — and his interpretation of what he sees when he watches Moore’s film isn’t something that meshes with how Johnson wants his WRs to play.
“When you turn on the film, you see … I would say some effort issues blocking, certainly effort issues on finishing routes where you know you’re not the primary (receiver),” O’Sullivan said about Moore, adding:
“When you have the ball in your hands, you’re a dynamic playmaker. But when you don’t have the ball in your hands, you don’t play as fast. I think that’s a big problem for a lot of people that love high-level offense. And when it’s on film, and people coach and teach off the film — and your peers can see it — I find it hard to believe that that doesn’t bleed into an organization.”
We all know Ben Johnson loves high-level offense, and the Bears coach has made it clear he wants to get maximum effort from all of his players.
O’Sullivan also noted that Moore’s tendency to slack off a bit is a gift of sorts for opposing defenses.
“The defensive guys are pretty good coaching and playing and they’re going to know that: Hey, this guy gets a lot of designer touches at the line of scrimmage,” O’Sullivan said “If he’s not getting the ball immediately, he’s not necessarily going to run that hard. We’re not worried about him running by us. …We can kind of understand that he has a limited tree of production.”
J.T. O’Sullivan: Bills QB Josh Allen May Grow ‘Frustrated’ With DJ Moore
O’Sullivan was asked if he thought Moore would have a solid season in Buffalo with former MVP Josh Allen throwing his way, and he responded in the affirmative, noting he expected Moore to fill a Deebo Samuel-type role.
But O’Sullivan also said he thinks Allen’s playing style could lead to clashes with Moore.
“We kind of saw this a little bit in Chicago with Caleb (Williams) — Josh has the capacity to extend and create, and when you extend and create, you have to keep playing. You can’t quit on routes,” O’Sullivan noted, adding:
“You have to play through the whistle. You’ve got to extend. You’ve got to have a feel down the field. And that just hasn’t proven to be something that as a strength for DJ Moore. That doesn’t mean he can’t develop it. Maybe they just practice scramble drill every day in Buffalo. I doubt it. I think we’re going to see Josh probably get a little frustrated with a guy who maybe doesn’t give full effort all the time.”
There were rumors of a disconnect between Moore and Williams, and after hearing O’Sullivan’s take on Moore’s inability to “extend and create,” the trade makes more sense than ever.
Ex-NFL QB Suggests Ben Johnson Frustration May Have Led to DJ Moore Trade