DJ Moore
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears in action against the Buffalo Bills during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, and that move, along with center Drew Dalman’s retirement, could lead the team to make a major push for Baltimore Ravens free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum.
When news first broke out of Dalman’s retirement, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that the Bears have “sniffed around Tyler Linderbaum.”
Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowler and this year’s top free-agent center, is expected to receive offers that exceed $20 million per year, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Numerous teams around the league are in need of a starting-caliber center, and now with the Bears in the mix, it only raises Linderbaum’s asking price.
At first, it wouldn’t make sense for Chicago to go after Linderbaum, especially since the team was tight on money, but now with Moore’s trade freeing up $16.5 million in cap space, the Bears have the resources to go after Linderbaum.
Albert Breer Hints at Tyler Linderbaum Signing for the Bears Amid DJ Moore Trade News
Tyler Linderbaum
GettyTyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Breer added to the Bears’ connection to Linderbaum in a post on X.
“Meanwhile, the Bears have cleared a bunch of cap room this week, with Drew Dalman retiring and DJ Moore traded. We’d mentioned earlier that they’ve shown some interest in Tyler Linderbaum and Maxx Crosby. Stay tuned.”
Crosby aside, Ben Johnson covets an elite center. When he was the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator, the team had Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro center Frank Ragnow. Now that Dalman is gone, the Bears will surely go after one of this year’s top free-agent centers.
Also, keep in mind that the Bears plan to move on from linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, which will free up another $15 million in cap room.
Projected Contract for Linderbaum and What He Brings to the Table
Linderbaum, who’ll be 26 years old by the time next season rolls around, is ESPN’s No. 2-rated free agent.
“Linderbaum has a tone-setting mentality on the interior of the front, using elite foot speed and body control to match pass rushers or climb to the second level in the run game. His pass block win rate of 97.2% tied for second among 31 qualifying centers last season.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper has Linderbaum projected to sign a massive four-year, $78 million contract, which would make him the highest-paid center in the league with a $19.5 million annual salary. Here’s what Popper had to say regarding Linderbaum:
“Linderbaum, a 2022 first-round pick, is an athletic, versatile, and powerful run blocker. He takes great angles and is very capable on the move on outside-zone runs, as a puller and in the screen game. Though he is not an elite pass protector, Linderbaum shows the eyes and instincts necessary to identify stunts and deceptive movement along the defensive front.”
Even if the Bears don’t lead the league in available cap space, the premise of coming to a team with a franchise quarterback and stability at head coach should entice Linderbaum, especially when he fits Chicago’s outside zone scheme on offense.