Bears’ DJ Moore Makes Eye-Opening Admission About Embattled Teammate, Urges Fans to Be Patient Amid Harsh Criticism and Media Scrutiny

Training camp can either build confidence or break players — especially in Chicago, where the expectations surrounding the Bears’ young core continue to swell. Amid the swirling questions about the team’s future, one player’s support of his embattled teammate stood out. Wide receiver DJ Moore made headlines this week when he delivered a surprising and candid defense of a teammate under fire, urging the public and media alike to practice patience.

While Moore didn’t name names at first, it quickly became apparent who he was referring to — quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams, who arrived in Chicago with immense fanfare and expectations, has had a mixed training camp. At times, he’s flashed the brilliance that made him the top selection. Other times, he’s looked like a rookie under pressure, with accuracy lapses, decision-making struggles, and communication breakdowns making headlines.

DJ Moore’s Message: “Let the Kid Grow”

Speaking after Wednesday’s padded practice, Moore didn’t mince words. “It’s crazy how fast people want to jump on someone who’s only been in the league for a minute,” he said. “Caleb’s got all the tools. I’ve played with a few QBs in my career, and I can tell when someone’s got the ‘it’ factor. He’s got it. But people gotta chill and let the kid grow.”

Moore, now entering his second season with the Bears after being traded from Carolina as part of the blockbuster deal that gave the Panthers the 2023 No. 1 pick, knows what a pressure cooker the Chicago media can be. He’s seen young quarterbacks go through the wringer before. His words weren’t just about defending a teammate — they were about shifting the conversation to one of patience and development.

“Everybody wants instant success, but football doesn’t work that way,” Moore continued. “You build chemistry. You learn the system. You grow into it. He’s doing all of that.”

A Fractured Narrative: Media vs Locker Room

Caleb Williams’ every move at training camp has been dissected. When he overthrew Moore on a deep ball last week, analysts speculated about mechanical flaws. When he struggled in a red-zone drill, questions about his readiness resurfaced. Social media hasn’t been forgiving, with fans demanding a quicker return on investment.

But inside the Bears locker room, the narrative seems far different.

“I’ve seen him own up to mistakes in meetings, ask questions no rookie usually thinks to ask, and keep working when no one’s watching,” Moore said. “That matters.”

Other teammates have quietly backed Moore’s sentiment. Tight end Cole Kmet noted how Williams has been “obsessed with getting better,” and even head coach Ben Johnson, typically measured in his assessments, recently said, “Caleb is right where he needs to be. The mistakes now are what will fuel his growth.”

DJ Moore’s Leadership Rising

Moore’s comments weren’t just about defending a teammate — they were about assuming a more prominent leadership role in a locker room full of young, rising talent. With players like Williams, Rome Odunze, Gervon Dexter, and Tyrique Stevenson anchoring the team’s future, Moore’s voice matters.

“He’s stepped up this camp,” said offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. “He’s more vocal, not just in the receiver room but on the sideline, in walkthroughs, and in helping Caleb manage the noise.”

It’s a role Moore seems ready to embrace. “If I can be the guy who keeps things level, I’ll take that responsibility,” he said. “We’re building something real here.”

Caleb Williams: A Work in Progress With Tremendous Upside

There’s no denying Caleb Williams has had uneven moments during camp. He’s thrown interceptions. He’s held onto the ball too long. But he’s also shown flashes of the improvisational magic that made him a Heisman winner at USC — escaping collapsing pockets, extending plays, and firing lasers downfield.

The challenge now is consistency.

“He’s learning how small the windows are in this league,” said quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph. “But the talent? It’s all there. It’s just about reps, reps, reps.”

The Bears’ coaching staff remains fully committed to developing their young star. Ben Johnson has tailored the offense to fit Williams’ strengths — rolling pockets, high-percentage throws early, and multiple personnel groupings to disguise intentions and give Williams clear reads.

“I love the offense,” Williams said last week. “It challenges me to be better every day, and that’s what I want.”

A New Era of Accountability and Support

What Moore’s comments really reflect is a locker room culture that’s changing. For years, the Bears have cycled through quarterbacks with little stability or support. But now, under a new regime led by general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson, there’s a palpable effort to foster continuity.

Moore’s words — and the silent nods from teammates who echoed them in sentiment if not in public — mark a stark departure from the finger-pointing that sometimes defined earlier eras in Chicago.

“We’ve got each other’s backs, period,” said right tackle Darnell Wright. “That’s what’s different now.”

The Bigger Picture: Patience Is a Virtue

It’s easy for fans to be reactive. After all, Chicago hasn’t seen a franchise quarterback since…well, maybe never. Caleb Williams is supposed to be that guy. But DJ Moore’s plea for patience is a reminder that greatness takes time, and the best way to nurture a young QB is not through criticism but support.

“He hears the noise,” Moore admitted. “He’s human. But he’s working. I just hope people give him the space to become what we all know he can be.”

As the 2025 season inches closer, Bears fans will be watching every snap, every throw, and every decision Williams makes. But if DJ Moore’s voice carries the weight it should, they might also remember to watch with a bit more patience — and a little more faith.

DJ Moore’s eye-opening admission about Caleb Williams offered more than a soundbite — it provided a rare glimpse into the heart of a team in transition. In defending his embattled teammate, Moore not only showed leadership but reminded everyone — from fans to media — that sometimes the best thing we can give a young quarterback is time.

And if Williams grows into what Moore and others inside Halas Hall believe he will, then this moment might be remembered as one where the team — and its city — began to truly rally behind its new franchise face.