DJ Moore Reacts to Bears’ Trade for 6-Time Pro Bowl Playmaker

Bears Trade

The Chicago Bears just acquired a new running mate for DJ Moore. After going through last season with little behind Moore and the departed Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons), the Bears have agreed to a trade for Los Angeles Chargers star and six-time Pro Bowler, Keenan Allen.

“Scoopage… Bears have traded for WR Keenan Allen sending Chargers a fourth rounder. @NFLonFOX,” Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported on X, formerly Twitter, on March 14.

Moore, for one, certainly seemed happy about the news.

DJ Moore Reacts to Bears’ Trade for Chargers’ Keenan Allen

DJ Moore Gets a New Running Mate

“The #Chargers approached star WR Keenan Allen about a pay cut today, which he declined,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on March 14. “The team then dealt him to the #Bears, who continue to load up. A wild offseason in Chicago.”

Allen, 32, carries a $34.7 million cap hit in the final year of a four-year, $80.1 million contract. He caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 and has nearly double the receiving yards in his career (10,350) than the Bears franchise leader, Johnny Morris. Allen caught eight passes for 69 yards versus the Bears in Week 8 this past season.

There are concerns about his durability – he played in 13 games last season. Allen has not completed a full slate of games since 2019 and has just three such seasons in his 11-year career.

Still, Allen profiles as a perfect complement to Moore as a proven option in the slot.

He reunites with former Chargers teammate and new Bears tight end, Gerald Everett, who received a two-year, $12 million contract in free agency.

Bears’ Jaylon Johnson, Jaquan Brisker React to Keenan Allen Trade

Moore’s reaction was not isolated, with a pair of prominent voices in the locker room from the other side of the ball also weighing in on the matter in safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

“So turnt,” Brisker posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Johnson shared very similar sentiments, albeit in far fewer words, choosing to let a gif do the talking for him.

“Let’s go,” exclaimed Kevin Byard, who landed a two-year, $15 million deal in free agency.

Brisker and Johnson should see plenty of Moore and Allen in practice. Recent draft picks Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr., late 2023 pickup Collin Johnson, and practice squadder Nsimba Webster were the only other receivers under contract.

Bears Down to 4 Picks in 2024 Draft

Of course, there is a cost to all transactions. And while the financial aspect is less concerning for these Bears, they are now even lighter on draft capital. They have just four picks, none of which are after the fourth round.

This sets the stage for a couple of paths.

They can trade down from one of their first-round picks and recoup much of what they spent to acquire Allen from LA and offensive lineman Ryan Bates from the Buffalo Bills. Or, they can look to fill out whatever holes remain after the draft with what’s left on the free agent market.

Even Allen fits a vision of long-term financial flexibility with just one year left on his contract.

The Bears could have several players due new money in the not-too-distant future. That list could include starting right guard Teven Jenkins, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and linebacker T.J. Edwards will all need new money after the 2025 season too. There is even a world where they earmark money for Justin Fields, should they ultimately decide to trade the No. 1 overall pick, which would replenish their draft coffers.

Their moves this offseason have not presented a threat to future planning so far.