The Chicago Bears are set to break the seal, working through a trade that would send veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the AFC.
Moore was a key part of the Bears’ resurgence last season, which was his most successful campaign yet from a team standpoint. Moore has been clear about his stance on his future, but Bears general manager Ryan Poles left the door open for just this kind of deal.
What comes next for the Bears is key.
Bears Finalize DJ Moore Trade to AFC Rival Before Offseason
DJ Moore Goes From Bears to AFC East
“The Chicago Bears are working to finalize a trade that would send WR D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in a post on X on March 5, citing sources with knowledge of the ongoing situation.
“Compensation still is being discussed, and the trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins, but both sides are pushing to make it happen.”
Moore confirmed the report, sharing a post from the NFL that simply announced the deal.
“Done deal: The Bills are sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Bears for WR D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick, per sources,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. “A pick swap that gives Chicago extra draft ammo and Buffalo a new top receiver.”
The Bears acquired Moore as part of the package that also yielded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which they used on quarterback Caleb Williams.
Moore was notably a proponent of Williams’ predecessor, Justin Fields.
Moore was still the top pass-catcher on the Bears by a healthy margin in 2024 and defended his rookie QB when necessary. Still, their connection never developed as anyone involved had hoped, with the Bears turning to Moore as an option out of the backfield at times to generate touches.
The Bears now have seven picks in the 2026 draft, with two in the second round (Nos. 57 and 60) and four in the top 100 slots in April’s cycle.
That could help them in a number of ways, despite needing to attach a pick to Moore.
Bears Make Money Move
Moore was signed through 2029 on a four-year, $110 million extension that he signed with the Bears in 2024. There were significant financial ramifications to doing the deal.
“Trading DJ Moore frees up $16.5M in cap room for the Bears,” Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald posted on X after the deal. “Bills will take on $24.5M in salary for 2026 and assume a $15.5M guarantee for 2027. This seems risky for the Bills.”
Moore, who turns 29 in April, had career lows of 50 receptions and 682 yards during the 2025 season. Some of that was because Williams spread the ball around to his playmakers. Moore was still second on the team in yards and TDs and tied for the team lead in touchdowns.
The order will look different next season.
There had been speculation that Moore could be part of the Bears’ rumored pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders star edge defender Maxx Crosby, and he still could be. The compensation in this deal could be used to acquire Crosby in a subsequent deal.
What Comes Next for Bears
The Bears will now turn to Williams’ fellow 2024 first-round draftee Rome Odunze and 2025 second-rounder Luther Burden III to helm their wide receiver corps. There is now a significant void for the third option in the group, though.
Last season’s opening week WR3, Olamide Zaccheaus, is a free agent.
Burden and Odunze battled injuries last season, too, missing time before and/or during the campaign. The Bears also rely heavily on their tight ends. This move could bode well for Cole Kmet as the co-starter with 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland.
With needs at cornerback, linebacker, and along both lines, adding wide receiver to the list is risky for the Bears, too.
