The Chicago Bears thankfully don’t have to do much tinkering with their offense this offseason, as the changes they made last year, especially on the offensive line, helped them to a huge leap forward in 2025.
All the attention this offseason is on the defense, which has several free agents the Bears must decide whether or not to re-sign. However, that doesn’t mean the Bears won’t consider an upgrade or make a subtraction on offense if it helps them going forward.
One move the Bears could make is parting ways with veteran wide receiver DJ Moore. The 28-year-old wide receiver, whom Chicago signed to a four-year, $110 million extension in July 2024, saw his numbers decline this past season and only faces more competition for targets with the emergence of other options.
Moore had 50 receptions (85 targets) for 682 yards and six touchdowns. While he scored the same number of TDs as in 2024, his receptions dropped by 48, and his targets decreased by 55. The Bears likely didn’t have that in mind for Moore after he signed that extension, but their WR core has improved with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. And not to mention, they added a fantastic rookie TE in Colston Loveland.
When you add in all those factors, one could see how Moore could be on the outs. On Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Bears GM Ryan Poles was asked about Moore’s future in the Windy City, and his response left a lot to be interpreted.
“We want him here. We thinking highly of him … But this is the time now where we have to look at all the scenarios that will allow us to put the best team out there…he’s a guy we want here but we have to look at all the scenarios,” Poles said (h/t ESPN’s Courtney Cronin).
Bears GM Ryan Poles Adds Smoke to DJ Moore Trade Buzz
Like any smart GM, Poles isn’t going to come out and say that the Bears are trading the veteran WR, as they would lose all leverage. However, the fact that Poles said they want Moore on the team, while keeping the door open to exploring all scenarios, doesn’t bode well for the veteran wide receiver’s future.
If the Bears were to trade Moore before June 1, they would net $16.5 million in cap savings for 2026, along with $20.5 million, $24.5 million, and $24.5 million in savings until 2029, per Over The Cap.
However, Chicago would take on $12 million in dead money for the upcoming season. That number would decrease over the next three seasons, though.
The Bears won’t foolishly get rid of Moore just because they have Odunze, Burden III, and Jahdae Walker. That said, if another team calls Chicago and offers them some quality draft capital or a defensive player in exchange for Moore, it should pique the Bears’ interest.
Needless to say, the next several weeks should be interesting for the Bears, who will look to build off their success from 2025.