Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears.
Getty
Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears are arguably one highly-paid pass-catcher heavy heading into next season, which probably means some big-name roster subtraction.
First-round rookie tight end Colston Loveland and rookie slot receiver Luther Burden III both had promising first years in the league and are on cheap contracts for at least the next three seasons, which means neither is going anywhere.
Quarterback Caleb Williams and wideout Rome Odunze, fellow top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, each have two years remaining on their rookie deals with Chicago holding team options for 2028 due to both players’ status as former first-round picks.
That leaves $110 million receiver DJ Moore and $50 million tight end Cole Kmet, both of whom joined the franchise during previous head coaching regimes and were not handpicked by Ben Johnson.
Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron listed Kmet as among the team’s most likely cut candidates on January 23. However, Moore is probably the Chicago’s top trade candidate and could help the Bears directly with the acquisition of an elite pass-rusher, which is among their chief priorities.
Thus, Moore’s viability as a trade candidate serves as good news for Kmet and his chances to remain in the Windy City through the upcoming campaign, as Johnson is unlikely to part ways with both a top receiver and a top tight end in the same offseason — particularly not after such a strong year in 2025.
Swapping DJ Moore, Maxx Crosby Solves Problems for Both Bears, Raiders
D.J. Moore wide receiver Chicago Bears
GettyWide receiver DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN authored a trade proposal on Monday, February 16 that would flip Moore and Chicago’s No. 25 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in return for edge-rusher Maxx Crosby and a fifth-round selection in 2027.
“The Raiders probably aren’t trading Crosby unless they can get a first-round pick or some cumulative value in that ballpark,” Barnwell wrote. “The Bears have the 25th pick, and GM Ryan Poles hasn’t been shy about using draft picks to add talent. … Poles probably has to clear out some cash and cap to get a deal done. Enter Moore, whose four-year extension starts next season.”
The Raiders don’t have a WR1 after trading Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars at last season’s deadline, and Las Vegas is likely to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick.
Adding Moore alongside tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty makes plenty of sense for the team’s timeline over the next half-decade or so, and getting a first-round pick along with Moore while moving on from Crosby’s expensive deal looks like a strong deal all around. Crosby has recently voiced displeasure with the organization and has asked out this offseason.
DJ Moore Trade Offers Better Savings to Bears Than Cole Kmet Cut
Cole Kmet, Bears
GettyTight end Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears.
Chicago could work out a deal with the Raiders to hold off on trading Moore for Crosby until after June 1, which would allow the Bears to save $24.5 million on Moore’s deal for the next four consecutive seasons.
The Bears would save $16.5 million and $20.5 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively, by dealing Moore prior to June 1. The savings against the cap would remain $24.5 million in 2028 and 2029.
Moving off Kmet via a cut would save Chicago only $8.4 million next season and $10 million the following year, while the team would not bring any assets back in return. Kmet is clearly the No. 2 tight end behind Loveland now, but Johnson runs more two-tight end sets than almost any offensive coach in the NFL, which renders Kmet a meaningful luxury on the roster.