The Chicago Bears are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest questions looming over Halas Hall is what to do with wide receiver DJ Moore.
After a rocky 2025 campaign, Moore finds himself in unfamiliar territory. Once the clear-cut WR1, he now faces growing competition from a trio of young, ascending playmakers in Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Coltson Loveland. That’s not just a depth chart shift - it’s a full-on passing game evolution in Chicago.
Let’s talk numbers. Moore, 28, just wrapped up his least productive season in terms of both yards per route run (YPRR) and overall offensive grade, posting a career-low 1.24 YPRR and a 68.7 grade, per Pro Football Focus.
That’s a stark drop from the 2.31 YPRR he managed with Justin Fields under center. Even last year, with a carousel of offensive coordinators and a rookie quarterback, he still managed 1.44 YPRR.
But with Caleb Williams showing real signs of stardom and Ben Johnson dialing up a more dynamic offense, Moore’s dip in production stands out - and not in a good way.
Despite the downturn, Moore is still being utilized like a top target. But the reality is, he’s been outshined.
Odunze and Burden made bigger plays, and Loveland quietly led the team in receiving during the stretch run. That’s three rookie-contract stars outperforming a veteran with a hefty price tag.
And that brings us to the financials. Moore is under contract through 2028, but if the Bears want to pivot, there’s a path.
Trading him this offseason would free up about $16 million in cap space. Wait until after June 1, and that number jumps to $24 million.
That’s not pocket change - that’s the kind of money that can bring in two starting-caliber defenders, especially when you consider that Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard together are projected to count for about the same against the cap.
So, what’s the play here?
If Moore is essentially your fourth-best pass catcher, and you’ve got three high-upside weapons on rookie deals, it’s hard to justify keeping him around at a premium price. Especially when the production doesn’t match the paycheck.
Of course, there’s a catch. Moore is about to turn 30, and his last two seasons haven’t exactly boosted his trade value.
He’s still owed significant money in 2027 and 2028, though those years come with minimal dead cap hits. That makes him a bit more tradeable - but not necessarily a hot commodity.
The Bears have to weigh their options carefully. Moore’s had some great moments in Chicago, no doubt.
But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league, and right now, Moore is trending in the wrong direction. If another team sees value in him and is willing to deal, the Bears would be wise to listen.
With a franchise quarterback in place, a creative offensive mind calling plays, and a trio of young weapons already making noise, the Bears are building something. Whether DJ Moore is part of that future - or a piece they use to unlock more flexibility - is one of the biggest decisions on the table this offseason.