DJ Moore delivered three stellar seasons as Ryan Poles’ best WR acquisition. But after a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Bears appear ready to move on.
While General Manager Ryan Poles expressed the organization values Moore highly, head coach Ben Johnson seemed to take the loss much harder during his media availability.
“This is one of the closest groups I’ve been a part of, and that’s hard to generate,” Johnson said. “I wish there was some magic stick that you could just float on out there to make that happen.”
Johnson, who is preparing for a “square one” approach to the 90-man roster, admitted that there is no easy fix for losing a player of Moore’s caliber, despite the recent division title.
Chicago Bears, DJ Moore
May 23, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) speaks during organized team activities at Halas Hall Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
What Chicago Bears Received in DJ Moore Buffalo Bills Trade
On Thursday, the Chicago Bears traded Moore and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-round selection. The move denies Moore a chance to continue with the NFC North champions and sends him to the AFC East. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero characterized the deal as a “pick swap”:
“Done deal: The Bills are sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Bears for WR D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick, per sources,” Pelissero wrote. “A pick swap that gives Chicago extra draft ammo and Buffalo a new top receiver.”
Done deal: The Bills are sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Bears for WR D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick, per sources.
A pick swap that gives Chicago extra draft ammo and Buffalo a new top receiver. pic.twitter.com/OQ8fZCbLTr
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2026
The first place to look for blame regarding the trade is the production sheet. During his three-season tenure in Chicago, Moore was a machine, recording exactly 244 receptions for 3,012 yards and 20 touchdowns.
However, his 2025 production declined to career lows. Despite starting all 17 regular-season games, he managed only 50 catches for 682 yards. This statistical drop prompted the organization to shift toward a younger receiving corps featuring 2024 first-round selection Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden III.
Poles, who originally acquired Moore in the blockbuster 2023 trade for the No. 1 overall pick, is now clearing approximately $16.5 million in 2026 salary cap space, though the team will incur a $12.0 million dead money hit.
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The trade reunites Moore with Buffalo head coach Joe Brady, who served as Moore’s offensive coordinator during his 1,100-yard seasons with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. The Bills, who lacked top-tier perimeter production throughout the 2025 season, have agreed to guarantee $15.5 million of Moore’s 2028 base salary as part of the restructured terms.
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The Re-Tooled Bears Roster Is a Punishing Schedule
Because the Bears finished in first place in their division, they will host the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars and visit the Seattle Seahawks.
Additionally, the schedule features high-profile matchups against the entire NFC South and Moore’s new division, the AFC East, including a potential revenge game against the Bills.
Regarding the future of the roster, Johnson remained optimistic about the development of young talents like Burden and tight end Colston Loveland:
“I mean that’s the good news about going into year two is you got a much better feel for the players on the roster.”
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