After months of rumors, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore was finally traded the week before free agency. The trade sent him and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in return for a 2026 second-round pick. This move is a major pivot for both teams as they try to improve their contending rosters.
For the Bears, moving on from Moore was a difficult but understandable decision. Although the veteran receiver had limited production in Ben Johnson’s offense, his role was no less important. In a recent press conference at the combine, before the trade, Johnson highlighted Moore’s knowledge of his scheme and his versatility to play every wide receiver position. This was easy to see in his use throughout the season as a deep threat, screen option, and regular target in the passing game. With Moore gone, the young weapons on the Bears’ offense, like Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden, will have to pick up the slack.
Moore was also a deeply admired player in the Bears’ locker room. He was named a Bears team captain in 2023 and 2024, while also being the main veteran presence in Chicago’s wide receiver room. His toughness, leadership, and versatility will be greatly missed in the Windy City.
Moving off of Moore’s contract in return for a valuable draft pick still made a lot of sense for Bears general manager Ryan Poles. The team will need as much draft capital as possible to help fill holes on its defense, as they lack talent along the defensive line, at linebacker, and at safety.
Contractually, the Bears are still paying half of DJ Moore’s 2026 salary, but also save 12.5 million dollars against the cap per Sportrac. Chicago has freed up close to 26 million dollars with their offseason moves so far. The biggest factors being from Drew Dalman’s retirement, cutting Tremaine Edmunds, and trading DJ Moore. This money will be important in improving the Bears’ roster, but all three of those players were contributing starters who will have to be replaced.
Chicago will have to thread a needle to make meaningful improvements next season, but Poles proved last offseason that he can quickly turn around the roster. He has already started making additions by trading for center Garrett Bradbury, but there are still plenty of moves to come.
For the Bills, the DJ Moore addition gives quarterback Josh Allen desperately needed wide receiver help. With Moore joining Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and James Cook, the Bills’ offense is poised to be a far more productive unit next season.
This help came at a high cost, however, both in terms of draft capital and money. Giving up a second-round pick, pick 60 specifically, for an aging wide receiver on a large contract and a future day three pick is a risky move.
Moore is still a talented player who had significant production the last time he was the featured player on an offense in a far worse situation. Still, this move puts the Bills in a risky future financial situation.
Moore is under contract with the Bills for four seasons, three of which have significant amounts of guaranteed money. Meaning the veteran wide receiver is basically locked in with the team through 2028, his age 31 season. DJ Moore is currently earning 24.5 million dollars per year.
The Bills have not only given up premium draft capital. They are also investing significant money over a long period of time into an aging wide receiver who talent wise is not close to being the best at his position.
Moore is still a talented player who had significant production the last time he was the featured player on an offense in a far worse situation, but this move still puts the Bills in a risky future financial situation.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
