DJ Moore Trade Rumors Take A Major Hit After Insider Reveals Coaches’ Stance

The debate around DJ Moore has remained active for weeks. That last image of him running a bad route, leading to the backbreaking interception that lost the Chicago Bears the game in the divisional round, is still fresh in many minds. Combined with the team’s salary cap problems, it has led to rampant speculation that Moore could be traded. He’s still in his late 20s and has a strong enough reputation to generate some market interest. All it requires is everybody in the brain trust being on the same page.

That is where a problem exists. According to Sports Mockery insider Jeff Hughes, the feelings about Moore inside the locker room differ significantly from the media and fans. The wide receiver is beloved by the coaching staff.

It isn’t shocking that this would be the case. Moore was instrumental in the Bears’ playoff push, making the iconic catch in overtime to beat the Green Bay Packers, then did it again in the wild card round to cap an 18-point comeback. The guy was money when the team needed him. One unfortunate moment against the Rams shouldn’t undo all of that.

If Ben Johnson wants DJ Moore, he will get him.

One must remember the new setup with the Bears’ hierarchy. While Ryan Poles remains the general manager, Bears head coach Ben Johnson has significant authority on the personnel front. If there is a player he doesn’t want, the team will not acquire them. It almost certainly goes the other way as well. If there is a player he wants to keep, don’t expect Poles to fight him on it. Johnson’s love for Moore all but guarantees the wide receiver will be back for another season. Moore certainly sounded like someone expecting that during the NFL Honors ceremony.

That leaves the matter of his contract. If they won’t trade DJ Moore, the Bears are almost certain to restructure his contract. Doing so would net them between $16 million and $17 million, depending on whether they use void years. Moore is signed through 2029, so his contract is one of the most obvious options for such a move. Montez Sweat and Joe Thuney will be two others to watch. If nothing else, this at least means the Bears won’t have to worry about making any significant moves at wide receiver.

There is one other issue to watch with Moore.

Poles alluded to it in his end-of-the-season press conference last month. When asked about DJ Moore and his future in Chicago, the GM intimated that the wide receiver had been playing hurt. It isn’t clear to what extent, but the general vibe was that it had been an ongoing issue. That would explain the periodic consistency issues Moore seemed to deal with at times. Playing through pain often does that. The Bears likely hope he stays healthy next season, when he’ll have a chance to truly thrive in Johnson’s offense.

It was already apparent that he and quarterback Caleb Williams were developing chemistry. Ironically, it was Rome Odunze’s own injury problems that led to it. We all saw what a healthy Moore could do in 2023, and that was in a disjointed offensive system. The wider NFL hasn’t given him the respect he deserves for a long time. Could 2026 be his moment? We’ll find out one way or the other.