DJ Moore stands on uncertain ground going into the 2026 offseason. The Chicago Bears have salary cap issues to work out. After an uneven 2025 season with high highs and low lows, some have wondered if the team should decide to move on from the veteran receiver. He will count $28.5 million against the salary cap. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden look like long-term mainstays at wide receiver. Trading Moore would clear out some cap space and likely get something of value in return.
While a draft pick is the most likely course, there is the possible player-for-player option that can happen on occasion. As always, it depends on which players may or may not be available. Here’s what we know. The Bears have lingering questions at left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo likely won’t return until the middle of next season. Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones are free agents. The team has no definitive option for opening day. So why not use Moore as bait to go get somebody who can fill that void?
GM Ryan Poles’ former team may hold the solution.
DJ Moore for Jaylon Moore makes sense for both sides.
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Moore to a lucrative free agent deal last spring, but then drafted Josh Simmons 32nd overall. He quickly established himself as their long-term starter, leaving Moore as a high-priced backup. Meanwhile, the Chiefs continue to have glaring issues at wide receiver. None of them managed to crack 600 yards this season, leaving Patrick Mahomes to lean way too much on an aging Travis Kelce. They need somebody with credibility to give their star QB a second option.
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Jaylon isn’t any sort of front-line starter. He is a solid hand who was a solid player when called upon in San Francisco. He has enough athleticism and anchor to hold his own, but he won’t be your solution long-term. This trade swap for DJ Moore would be the Bears solving a short-term problem without having to go hunting for help in the upcoming 2026 draft. His contract expires after next season, so the Bears won’t be on the hook for much money. Hopefully, by then, Trapilo will be back healthy.
