Thomas Brown's creativity with DJ Moore could lead to more big games in the future for the Bears' top offensive weapon
Thomas Brown has done a remarkable job reigniting the Chicago Bears' offense since being promoted to offensive coordinator two weeks ago.Over the prior two games, the Bears' offense looked like a much more efficient unit simply by getting the ball out quick and into the hands of the team's play-makers.One player who's seen the most […]
Thomas Brown has done a remarkable job reigniting the Chicago Bears' offense since being promoted to offensive coordinator two weeks ago.
Over the prior two games, the Bears' offense looked like a much more efficient unit simply by getting the ball out quick and into the hands of the team's play-makers.
One player who's seen the most change in how he's been used has been wide receiver DJ Moore. On Sunday, Moore posted his second 100-yard game of the season and was used in a variety of different ways.
One of the main differences seen out of Moore's game under his new play-caller has been the emphasis of getting him the ball in space with blockers in front of him, whether it's on screen passes, reverses, or swing passes.
Last week, head coach Matt Eberflus specifically mentioned how good Moore can be after the catch with the ball in his hands and wanting to see that be more of a focus.
"DJ is obviously really good right after catch. That's one thing he does well," Eberflus said last Monday. "He's like a running back with the ball in his hands. You saw that on those screen passes, and I showed those in the team room. The effort that other guys put it to those plays. It was really, really good in terms of the execution, but the effort was even better."
So, it was no surprise to see Brown implement even more of that into his gameplan against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Just look at how much of Moore's production came after the ball was in his hands.
Brown really views Moore as a weapon more than a stereotypical wide receiver and you can tell that by the plays he's scheming up for him.
"I'm for whatever helps the team win, be on a positive drives and throughout the game," Moore said on Monday. "So, whatever that aspect is of me getting the ball is, I'm okay with."
The best play design for Moore came on this screen play in the third quarter with Moore as the lone receiver on the left. The Bears faked the run and then threw the ball back to Moore who had Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins blocking in front. From there, Moore couldn't be brought down and turned it into a 37-yard play.
On the very next play, Brown tried to get creative again by calling a swing pass to Moore off a motion that turned out to be a double pass. Unfortunately, Moore's pass was broken up in the endzone intended for Rome Odunze. Moore added on Monday he believed pass interference should have been called on the play.
Nevertheless, Brown is being increasingly creative with how he's designing plays to get the ball into the hands of his top play-maker. And he's still using him as a traditional downfield wide receiver like we saw on the play to set up the game tying touchdown on the final drive of the fourth quarter.
Brown's done an impressive job so far calling the offense and more big games like this one should be on the horizon for Moore going forward this season.
Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense are unlocking a new wrinkle thanks to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown
The unit is taking marginal steps forward.
