DJ Moore
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 17: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears takes the field prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on November 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears’ decision to trade away wide receiver DJ Moore will leave a huge presence in the wide receiver room, especially for youngsters like wideout Jahdae Walker.
While the trade will undoubtedly help the Bears add cap space and help build the roster with the Buffalo Bills’ second-round pick, Moore was a leader on the team.
In a recent Instagram story, Walker revealed Moore’s heartfelt message to him after news of the trade broke.
DJ Moore Sends Heartfelt Message to Jahdae Walker
Jahdae Walker
GettyJahdae Walker #20 of the Chicago Bears celebrates with Olamide Zaccheaus #14 after his touchdown reception against the Green Bay Packers.
Even when Moore can be salty that the Bears traded him away, he still made sure to send love to his fellow receiver.
“YOOOOO. GO BE GREAT AND BE YOU SHINE BRIGHT LIKE YOU DO N MAKE YOURSELF INTO THE PLAYER/MAN YOU WANNA BE LIL BRO”
Walker replied with, “Preciate you bro! gonna miss you man💔
”
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business, and the Bears made what they believed was the best move for the team.
Moore is going to the perfect spot to thrive as the Bills’ WR1 and catch passes from Josh Allen. The Bears get more leverage to make some moves during free agency with more cap space, and during the draft with that second-round pick.
Now, Jahdae Walker will be stepping into a much larger role with Moore departing for Buffalo.
OVAEASTBAYBEE🏁‼️
DJ real as hell man 💔
Bears Receive an ‘A’ Grade on the Moore Trade
Despite the Bills getting a solid receiver for Allen, ESPN’s Seth Walder gave the Bears an A grade, while Buffalo received a D.
“The Bills get a D and the Bears get an A. Moore’s stock has fallen precipitously since signing an extension with Chicago that averaged $27.5 million annually. Despite that, the Bills will be taking on only a slightly cheaper contract: $90 million over four years ($22.5 million APY). With all the guarantees, this will basically be either a one-year deal for $40 million, a two-year deal for $64.5 million or a three-year deal for $73.5 million. Not only that, but the Bills gave up what equates roughly to a late-third-round pick to do it.”
And according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, it wasn’t just the emergence of rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III that added to the Bears’ decision to trade Moore.
“It wasn’t just Burden’s emergence. Colston Loveland’s dominant rookie season — a team-leading 713 receiving yards — cemented the first-round tight end as a key piece of the passing attack. With Burden, Loveland and Rome Odunze in the fold, Moore became a luxury on a team where his role had changed since he was traded to Chicago in 2023.
In 2024, Moore had 102 targets on throws of 10 yards or less, the second most among wide receivers behind the Bengals‘ Ja’Marr Chase. Moore was used as a run-after-catch receiver. Those targets dipped significantly for Moore in 2025 when he had 42 on passes that traveled 10 yards or less.”
Regardless of how Walder graded the trade for both teams, the hope is that the Bears can capitalize on an influx of cap space/Buffalo’s second-round pick, and DJ Moore thrives on a new team.