The Chicago Bears traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in March, collecting a 2nd round pick in return. Nationally, it was received with shock and praise. Experts couldn’t believe general manager Ryan Poles finessed another team for compensation that high. In most circumstances, the best the Bears probably could’ve hoped for was a couple of mid-round picks. Landing a day two pick was massive. Even now, months later, the nods of approval keep flowing in from various outlets.
Most recently, ESPN called it the best move Chicago made all offseason. It wasn’t just that they got the 2nd rounder, it was that they managed to do it before his contract became even more expensive than it already was.
“Chicago Bears: B+
Biggest move: Trading WR DJ Moore to the Bills
Move I liked: The Moore trade
Move I disliked: Not adding at edgeChicago opened its second offseason of the Ben Johnson era with a strong value trade, getting a second-round pick for Moore and a fifth-round selection. That might not sound incredible, but consider the situation. Moore was coming off consecutive disappointing seasons and the extension he signed prior to the 2024 campaign is really kicking into gear only now. Even though there are hefty cash salaries remaining on the contract, the Bears somehow got the Bills to give up real draft capital to take that money off Chicago’s books.”
Money was the primary driving force in this decision. Chicago had cap space issues. Moore was one of the biggest contracts they could trade. Nobody could argue the logic. That said, people are still missing what makes this trade so encouraging.
The Bears kept emotion out of the DJ Moore situation.
You have to understand the context here. Yes, Moore had one of his worst statistical seasons in years in 2025. Finishing under 700 yards is unacceptable for somebody making almost $30 million a year. However, Moore was also responsible for two of the most memorable and emotional catches in Bears franchise history. The first came in overtime to beat the Green Bay Packers last December, handing Chicago the division lead. Then, a few weeks later, he scored the go-ahead touchdown in the wild card playoff game to beat the Packers again.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Bears fans will be replaying those catches in their heads for decades to come. Why does that matter? Previous regimes would have noted the impact Moore had and been reluctant to give him up, knowing what he means to the fanbase. They would have found a way to make the money work, even if it wasn’t in the team’s best long-term interests. Not this time. Poles and head coach Ben Johnson didn’t let emotion enter into an important roster decision. They kept it professional, looking at the whole rather than just two snapshots.
Moore couldn’t escape the facts.
He was outstanding in 2023, posting over 1300 receiving yards. Since then, he has steadily declined. This came despite the quarterback and then the head coach being upgraded. He had just 1,648 yards over the past two seasons. You can’t blame injuries. DJ Moore didn’t miss a single game in that time span. Targets? He had more in 2024 than in 2023. For whatever reason, he stopped producing at a high level. Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers, who’s making $8 million per year less, had more yards over that same time span.
The Bears made the right decision. Maybe Moore will rebound in Buffalo. That doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change the fact that his presence on this roster couldn’t be justified anymore. Chicago has enough offensive weapons to survive just fine without him. They never wanted to get rid of him. He simply didn’t leave them a choice. When the last image of him was running the wrong route against the Rams that contributed to a season-ending interception, his fate was sealed.
