Why DJ Moore relishes Bears success, playoff game vs. Packers

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – DJ Moore went 12-2 in his senior season at Imhotep Charter High School in Philadelphia. The Panthers were perfect in conference but flamed out in the first round of the AAA bracket of the Pennsylvania state playoffs.

Moore hasn’t played a playoff game since. That streak will snap on Saturday night, when the Bears play Green Bay in the NFC wild-card round at Soldier Field.

That’s not the only drought-snapping taste of success the veteran receiver enjoyed this season. He hasn’t had a winning record since that 2014 campaign with the Imhotep Charter.

He had a 13-24 record over three seasons at the University of Maryland, where he never had more than six wins.

[READ: What Rome Odunze injury return will mean for Bears’ NFL playoff run]

Moore got drafted by the Carolina Panthers 2018, during a terrible period in their history, and then got shipped to a rebuilding Bears team in 2023. He always posted huge numbers but never won much.

Moore’s combined professional record entering the 2025 campaign: 41-75.

Add in his college days: 54-99.

That’s why Moore has appreciated this this Bears season as much as any. They went 11-7, won an NFC North title and are getting ready to host a playoff game.

What a flip of script. While his stats have dipped with Caleb Williams spreading the ball around, Moore is loving every minute of this season.

[READ: How Bears QB Caleb Williams evolved under Ben Johnson’s hard coaching]

“It’s great,” Moore said Thursday. “When you look at it, no winning seasons since high school. It’s crazy. To be in this locker room, with these guys, especially my rookies, they make the game young again. You just have fun.”

Moore is in an odd spot, as a veteran and star player who doesn’t have much advice on playoff football.

“This is my first time in this thing, too, so I’m just going with the flow and working hard,” Moore said. “You can tell everything has been amped up, even our practices have been so. There are a lot of bugs, a lot of butterflies going around, but we forced. Now we just have to go out and execute.”

While the Bears want playoff newcomers to keep the game in proper perspective, Moore isn’t telling anyone to settle down: “You wouldn’t tell a lion not to go feast.”

Moore will give it his best and do the most with opportunities given. He capitalized on a massive one during a Week 16 victory over Green Bay, when he called game with a 46-yard touchdown pass to win it in overtime.

That iconic catch will live on in Bears lore, but Moore hasn’t etched it into his mind with repeat viewings.

[READ: Ben Johnson, Bears captains define what’s required for NFL playoff success]

“I haven’t really gone back and watched it,” he said. “You watch it in film, but that’s it.”

Roschon Johnson gave Moore a now famous cheese grater hat to wear when receiving a game ball. It was fitting considering his investment in beating the Packers always, especially on Saturday in the playoffs.

“They’re always chirping. There’s always some talking going on, somewhere, somehow,” Moore said. “It is what it is. The rivalry speaks for itself, but the players on both sides are pretty amped about this third matchup. It’s about getting out there and executing.

“…Even though it’s Saturday night, it’s still a ways away. It can’t get here fast enough.”

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