Dan Orlovsky Sparks Controversy with Shocking Critique of Bears’ Treatment of Veteran WR—What Are They Hiding?

Ever get that nagging feeling that a great player’s simply being benched in plain sight? That’s exactly what struck me watching the Chicago Bears stumble last week—ending a promising four-game win streak with a deflating loss to the Ravens. Here’s a team whose defense gave up 30 points to an offense missing its star quarterback, and whose own offense just couldn’t click, scoring a mere 16 against a defense usually much less generous. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky didn’t hold back either, calling out the Bears on their baffling underuse of veteran wideout D.J. Moore—a guy who’s proven time and again he’s got the goods but this season has barely made a dent. With rookies and newcomers stealing the spotlight, Moore’s fading into the background—and it makes you wonder: when do smart coaches realize that sometimes, the old reliable deserves center stage? It’s a misstep that might just be holding Chicago back, especially as they face a floundering Bengals defense next. Maybe it’s time Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson rethink the playbook and get Moore weaving magic downfield again. Otherwise, are we watching a prime talent slip through the cracks?

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Dan Orlovsky looks on prior to Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. — (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears took a step back in a Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which brought a four-game winning streak to an end.

It was an unfortunate performance on both sides of the ball as their defense gave up 30 points to a Ravens team without Lamar Jackson, while the offense was only able to put up 16 on a battered defense that had given up at least 37 points four times this season.

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky believes Chicago’s misuse of a veteran wide receiver is a reason the offense hasn’t been as productive as it could be.

“The Chicago Bears have to feature D.J. Moore much more. Has gone over 70 yards only once this year. Too good a player for that,” Orlovsky wrote on X.

The @ChicagoBears have to feature DJ Moore much more

Has gone over 70 yards only once this year. Too good a player for that.

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 28, 2025

Moore caught 96 and 98 passes in his first two seasons with the Bears, but he isn’t on pace to come close to that this year, with 26 catches for 331 yards and one touchdown in seven games.

Second-year wideout Rome Odunze has surpassed Moore as the No. 1 option, while newcomer Olamide Zaccheus has drawn his share of targets.

Rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland are being eased into the rotation as well, which has resulted in Moore becoming a bit of an afterthought.

It would be a solid boost to this offense if quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson could find a way to get Moore more involved down the field.

This was the first time Chicago scored fewer than 21 points this season, and about to face one of the league’s worst defenses in the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, it would be a good time to get Moore back on track.

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