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HENDERSON, NEVADA - MAY 21: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference after an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on May 21, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears made one of the biggest early offseason moves in the NFL by trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. But the ripple effects of that decision may go far beyond simply reshaping the offense.
The deal could significantly impact Chicago’s pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
According to multiple reports, the Bears sent Moore and a fifth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for a second-round selection. The move not only clears substantial salary cap space but also gives Chicago an additional premium draft asset that could become valuable trade ammunition.
Taken together, those two factors may dramatically change the equation surrounding a potential blockbuster trade for Crosby.
Moore Trade Creates Cap Flexibility for Bears
Moving Moore’s contract off the books immediately opens up financial flexibility for the Bears as they look to reshape their roster this offseason.
The trade frees up roughly $16.5 million in cap space, according to cap analysts, while Buffalo absorbs the bulk of Moore’s 2026 salary.
That added flexibility matters because Crosby carries one of the largest contracts among defensive players in the league. His current deal averages more than $30 million per year, meaning any acquiring team must be able to absorb a significant financial commitment.
Before the Moore trade, Chicago’s cap situation made such a move far more complicated.
Now, the Bears suddenly have much more room to maneuver.
Ben Devine
The Bears aren’t done today…
That financial breathing room could allow general manager Ryan Poles to seriously explore the possibility of pulling off a blockbuster deal with the Raiders that would change the trajectory of the franchise.
Bears’ New Draft Capital Could Help Push Crosby Deal
The Moore trade also delivered another key asset: a second-round pick.
If the Raiders ultimately decide to move Crosby, the price is expected to be massive. Multiple insiders have suggested that any deal could require multiple high draft picks, potentially including first-round selections.
Adding another second-round pick gives the Bears additional flexibility when constructing a trade package.
Instead of sacrificing only premium first-round capital, Chicago now has another valuable chip that could help structure a deal.
At the same time, speculation around Crosby’s availability has continued to grow.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz recently wrote that teams around the league believe the Raiders are becoming “more open to the idea of trading Maxx Crosby,” adding that the situation is expected to intensify very soon.
For a Bears team that just went 11-6 and narrowly missed the NFC Championship Game, the opportunity to add a Defensive Player of the Year candidate could be the last piece that pushes them into true Super Bowl contention.
The Moore trade may have looked like a move focused on cap relief and offensive restructuring.
But around the league, many believe it may also be something else entirely. It could be the first domino in a much bigger move that will make Bears fans extremely happy.