Why the Bills Should Be Eyeing D.J. Moore to Fix Their WR1 Problem
The Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 offseason with one thing glaringly obvious: they need to get serious about the wide receiver position. Josh Allen has done more than enough to prove he can carry this team on his back - even without a true No. 1 wideout the last two seasons.
But at some point, you’ve got to give your franchise quarterback a legitimate top target. That time is now, and the pressure is on GM Brandon Beane to make it happen.
Yes, it’s still early in the offseason - most of the league’s attention is still on coaching changes and front office moves - but that doesn’t mean the Bills can afford to wait. The wide receiver market is about to heat up, and if Buffalo wants to be serious contenders in 2026, they need to be ready to strike.
One name that’s starting to make a lot of sense? D.J. Moore.
Why Moore Could Be the Missing Piece in Buffalo
Moore’s name came up recently as a potential trade target for teams already bounced from the postseason. And for Buffalo, the fit is compelling. Moore is a proven veteran with WR1 credentials - and he might just be available at the right time.
Let’s start with the situation in Chicago. Despite a promising 2025 season under new head coach Ben Johnson, Moore had the least productive year of his career.
That drop in production, combined with a hefty contract and a pair of rising young stars in Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze, puts Moore in a bit of a limbo. He’s still a high-level talent, but at $28.5 million per year over the next three seasons, the Bears might be thinking about reallocating resources.
From Buffalo’s perspective, that opens the door.
A Proven Resume - Even in a Down Year
Moore might’ve had a down year in 2025, but let’s not get it twisted - the guy has been one of the league’s most consistent wideouts over the past half-decade. He’s played every game for five straight seasons, something that can’t be said for many of the receivers Buffalo has brought in recently. He’s posted four 1,000-yard seasons, three 90-catch campaigns, and has hit at least six touchdowns in each of the last four years.
The 2025 season? Just 85 targets - his lowest since his rookie year.
In Buffalo, that number would skyrocket. With Allen slinging it, Moore would easily see 115+ targets, especially in a system that’s been searching for a go-to guy since Stefon Diggs' departure.
Last year, only Khalil Shakir topped Moore’s numbers in Buffalo, and while Shakir has been a steady presence, he’s not the alpha receiver this offense needs.
Moore, even coming off a down year, is that guy.
The Cap Math and the Risk Factor
Of course, there’s the financial angle. Moore’s contract is no small thing - $28.5 million annually is a significant chunk of cap space.
But if Beane can work some of his usual magic, whether through restructuring or creative cap maneuvering, it’s not out of the question. And when you consider what the Bills have paid for less-productive, less-durable receivers in recent offseasons, the price tag might not be as daunting as it seems.
As for the trade cost? A mid-round pick seems like the likely starting point.
That’s not a steep price for a player who, just two years ago, put up 96 catches, 1,364 yards, and eight touchdowns. That was Moore’s first season in Chicago - the same year he inked his four-year, $110 million extension.
The talent is still there. The track record speaks for itself.
A Win-Win Scenario?
The Bears have reason to consider moving Moore. They’ve got two young receivers ready to take on bigger roles, and Moore’s cap hit could be used to address other needs. For Buffalo, it’s a chance to give Josh Allen the kind of weapon he hasn’t had in two years - a true No. 1 who can win on the outside, stretch the field, and convert in the red zone.
It’s not the only option for Beane. There are other names out there, and some of them might come cheaper. But Moore offers a rare combination of experience, production, and durability that’s hard to find - especially in a market where every team is hunting for wide receiver help.
If the Bills are serious about making a run in 2026, giving Allen a proven WR1 should be priority No. 1.
And D.J. Moore?
He just might be the answer they’ve been waiting for.