Most of the trade buzz is centering around Maxx Crosby at the moment. This is no surprise, given his immense value as a pass rusher. However, he isn’t the only name involved in discussions around the league. It appears wide receiver DJ Moore also has the eye of several teams. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles made it clear the team loves him, but the economics of their situation make any decision on next season tricky. Trading him would clear $16 million in cap space and net the team some much-needed draft capital.
The challenge, as always, is finding the right taker. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the team to watch right now is the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl runner-up watched their young quarterback look anemic in the playoffs against some of the league’s best defenses. Stefon Diggs was mostly invisible in the playoffs, proving the team didn’t really have a second option at wide receiver. Pairing him with Moore would give young quarterback Drake Maye some help.
One Bears player plenty around the league are keeping an eye on is wide receiver D.J. Moore. The former first-round pick is coming off his least productive year of his career. The Patriots could be a landing spot for Moore if the Bears do a deal involving the receiver, or he could be part of a hypothetical package that goes to a needy Las Vegas team in a deal for Crosby.
DJ Moore to the Patriots opens up several doors.
New England has $39 million in cap space and the capability to create more. They should have zero issues absorbing Moore’s contract. They’ll also have him under control through 2029, giving them a measure of stability on offense as Maye continues to grow. From the Bears’ side, shedding that $16 million in salary, along with Drew Dalman’s retirement, gets them back under the salary cap and in a position to start retooling their roster. Along with the $15 million expected from either trading or cutting Tremaine Edmunds, that opens the door for a potential big move if they wish to make one.
As for compensation? New England has two 4th round picks in this year’s draft. It wouldn’t be much of an issue for them to flip one to Chicago for Moore’s services. They could also give up a 3rd if that’s not enough and still have those two 4ths. Much depends on how much of a market DJ Moore has. The belief is that it will be determined by the situation with A.J. Brown in Philadelphia. Teams who miss out on him might feel compelled to secure a consolation prize. Moore would be the obvious fallback plan.
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Year Player Age at Trade From To Key Compensation
2024 Davante Adams 31 Raiders Jets 3rd-round pick
2024 Amari Cooper 30 Browns Bills 3rd-round pick
2024 DeAndre Hopkins 32 Titans Chiefs 5th-round pick
2024 Stefon Diggs 30 Bills Texans 2nd-round pick
2024 Diontae Johnson 28 Panthers Ravens 5th-round pick
2024 Keenan Allen 31 Chargers Bears 4th-round pick
2024 Jerry Jeudy 24 Broncos Browns 5th & 6th-round picks
2022 Tyreek Hill 28 Chiefs Dolphins 1st, 2nd, 4th, 4th, & 6th picks
2022 Davante Adams 29 Packers Raiders 1st & 2nd-round picks
2022 A.J. Brown 24 Titans Eagles 1st & 3rd-round picks
2022 Marquise Brown 24 Ravens Cardinals 1st-round pick
2022 Amari Cooper 27 Cowboys Browns 5th-round pick
2021 Julio Jones 32 Falcons Titans 2nd & 4th-round picks
2020 Stefon Diggs 26 Vikings Bills 1st, 5th, & 6th-round picks
2020 DeAndre Hopkins 27 Texans Cardinals David Johnson & 2nd-round pick
The Bears have a tough decision to make.
Under ideal conditions, they’d keep DJ Moore as another weapon for Caleb Williams. Sadly, it’s not ideal. They’re in a tough cap situation, and some believe he and the young quarterback still don’t have the best chemistry despite their heroics together last season. Flipping him to New England makes sense for the reasons above, but also another. It keeps him on a contending team. Moore has done great work in Chicago. The last thing they want to do is exile him to a perennial loser. The Patriots will keep his chances to chase a ring open.
Meanwhile, the Bears will move forward with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland as their primary weapons in the passing game. It is a younger and more explosive group. All seem to have the full trust of Williams. It will be interesting to see when something happens. Usually, teams like to make their moves before free agency begins. However, some deals can wait until closer to the draft. Chicago has no reason to rush the market, so this could be a slow burner.