The Chicago Bears came up short in their quest to reach the Super Bowl in 2025 and this offseason will be all about how to get there next February.
The Bears are in unfamiliar territory during the Ryan Poles era as they are currently $5.3 million over the salary cap according to Over The Cap. To add to the team, changes will have to be made and popular players could be sent out that keeps the Bears’ championship window open.
Jaquan Brisker, Cole Kmet and Braxton Jones are among the list of players who could be filling out change of address forms this spring. But one player that may have their foot out the door as the season officially ended on Sunday is wide receiver DJ Moore.
DJ Moore Could Be on His Way Out of Chicago After Super Bowl LX
Moore’s future will not be an easy decision for the Bears to make. After being acquired in the trade that helped bring Caleb Williams to Chicago, Moore has been a solid target over the past three years, catching 244 passes for 3,012 yards and 20 touchdowns in 51 games.
While those numbers aren’t terrible, Moore’s production has dropped off in each of his three seasons with the Bears.
- 2023: 96 catches, 1,364 yards, 8 touchdowns
- 2024: 98 catches, 966 yards, 6 touchdowns
- 2025: 50 catches, 682 yards, 6 touchdowns
While Moore is under contract through the 2029 season after a four-year, $110 million contract extension signed in 2024, his performance last year and the emergence of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as the top targets on offense could put any exit strategy in motion.
The Bears likely won’t be able to cut Moore as they would have to eat $35.4 million in dead money if they do it before June 1. But Chicago would still eat $27.4 million in a post-June 1 cut, making a trade the most likely route for his departure.
That could be difficult considering the amount of money remaining on Moore’s contract and an identical $28.5 million cap hit in each of the next three seasons. But it’s also not impossible. The 49ers were in a similar situation with Deebo Samuel at this time one year ago and were able to get a fifth-round pick when the Washington Commanders were willing to take on his full salary for the 2025 season.
Other teams could come calling for Moore as they look to give their offense another target. But if there are no takers, it puts Chicago in a difficult position.
It’s most likely that Chicago could find a suitor and the Bears could use that money to upgrade some of the deficiencies on their roster. While there’s a chance Moore could return, it’s also likely he’s preparing for a trade, which could be one way to help the Bears get to where they couldn’t one year ago.