It was known that the Chicago Bears might end up trading DJ Moore this offseason. The primary reason for it was cap-related. The team was over the salary cap, and Moore counted $28.5 million against it going into next season. They have multiple young weapons ascending in the offense. Moving him felt like the logical thing to do. It was only a question of finding a taker. Mere days before the start of free agency, it appears that goal was accomplished as reports surfaced that the Bears worked out a deal with the Buffalo Bills for the veteran receiver.
It makes sense for both sides. Chicago needed to shed salary to create some operating room. Moore had lost some of his importance in the offense under head coach Ben Johnson. Conversely, the Bills have been desperately seeking weapons for Josh Allen. Moore gets to play on a contender with one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. This feels like a win-win situation for both sides. Right now, it’s believed a mid-round pick will be received as compensation, but details remain forthcoming.
DJ Moore carved his place in Bears history.
He had one of the best seasons a receiver has ever produced in Chicago, with over 1300 yards in 2023. Then he made arguably the greatest catch of at least the past decade with that iconic overtime snag against the Green Bay Packers in December. Fans will forever remember him for those accomplishments, along with the game-winner against those same Packers in the playoffs. Alas, the cold business of the NFL always catches up eventually. His diminishing production and the team’s cap issues made this move almost inevitable.
Chicago gains $16.5 million in cap space. Along with Drew Dalman’s $10 million return for retiring, the team is now under the salary cap. With a few more moves, including the trade or release of Tremaine Edmunds, Bears general manager Ryan Poles should have enough operating space to conduct business. Adding an extra draft pick to make it a total of eight this year doesn’t hurt either. Williams still has Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland as his primary targets in the passing game. Things should work out fine.
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Update: Compensation revealed
Per Tom Pelissero, the Bears will receive a 2026 second-round pick for D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick. This now gives Chicago three picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. Ryan Poles is back in the kitchen cooking. This grants the team tons of flexibility in regards to what they want to do. They could package that pick and others to go after Maxx Crosby, as has been rumored. Or they could use them in the upcoming draft to help reload the defense and offensive line. Poles loves moving around in the draft, so that pick could help secure even more via trades.
As of now, the Bears have four picks in the first three rounds of this draft. That number could increase if the NFL rules in their favor on the Ian Cunningham compensatory pick issue. Trading Tyson Bagent would also likely add to it. This is a great setup as the team looks to retool its roster into something head coach Ben Johnson wants. Speed is a priority, so expect that to be the focus when the action starts next month. It’s amazing to think Moore made it all possible.
