New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn't scrapping every decision made by ex-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Johnson is continuing last year's move of utilizing receiver DJ Moore out of the backfield.
The veteran wideout has taken some snaps out of the backfield early in camp as Johnson assesses the best way to manufacture touches for Moore.
"He's a physical, run-after-catch, just-get-me-the-ball type of guy," Johnson said on Tuesday, via the Chicago Sun-Times. "There's a number of things that we're looking to do and explore how we get him the ball and get him in space."
Waldron dabbled in using Moore out of the backfield last season. His 10 backfield reps were the first time the wideout surpassed the double-digit mark since his 2018 rookie season (35), per Pro Football Focus. Moore took 14 carries in all in 2024, the most rushes in his career.
Getting Moore a couple of reps a game out of the backfield could help diversify Johnson's rushing attack. The running back crew entered camp with the biggest question in the coach's new offense. D'Andre Swift enters as RB1 but is coming off a down season; Roschon Johnson is a grinder; and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai is a wild card. If Johnson doesn't see the pop from the crew he likes, getting Moore some additional touches out of the backfield could be one answer.
Using the wideout out of the backfield also ensures he remains a big part of the offense, as second-year receiver Rome Odunze seems destined to ascend to the WR1 role in 2025.
