The Chicago Bears are facing a cap crunch, and one of their best paths forward might just involve a familiar face in a new front office. Former assistant GM Ian Cunningham, now with the Atlanta Falcons, could be in a position to help his old team - and in doing so, help his new one.
Cunningham didn’t leave Chicago under any cloud. In fact, Bears GM Ryan Poles gave him the green light to pursue the Falcons' job, even though it meant the Bears wouldn't get a compensatory third-round pick.
It was a professional courtesy - one GM helping another take the next step. Now, with the Bears looking to reshape their roster and the Falcons in need of receiver help, the timing might be perfect for a little front-office reciprocity.
Why Atlanta Makes Sense for D.J. Moore
Let’s start with the basics: the Falcons need a wide receiver. Darnell Mooney’s contract looks bloated, and odds are he’ll be a cap casualty.
That leaves new head coach Kevin Stefanski with Drake London as the only real threat in the WR room. Moore would change that dynamic immediately.
Cunningham knows what Moore brings to the table. He saw it firsthand in Chicago - the route-running, the yards after catch, the physicality.
He also knows the personality behind the helmet, which matters when you’re trying to build a locker room culture. That kind of familiarity is rare in trade scenarios, and it could fast-track a deal.
And while Falcons president Matt Ryan will ultimately have the final say, he also has a strong relationship with Poles. There’s a lot of connective tissue here.
The Bears want to move Moore, the Falcons need a receiver, and the front offices know each other well. This isn’t just a favor between friends - it’s a move that makes football sense.
The Cap Implications for Chicago
The financial side of this deal is where things really start to click for the Bears. According to Over The Cap, trading Moore before June 1 would free up $16.5 million in cap space.
Wait until after June 1, and that number jumps to $24.5 million. That’s a significant chunk of change for a team trying to build around a young core.
There’s also a looming deadline: Moore’s $15.5 million salary for the 2027 season becomes guaranteed on the third day of the league year. Translation? If the Bears are going to move him, they’ll want to do it sooner rather than later.
Moore’s Production Still Holds Value
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about Moore underperforming. He didn’t explode under new head coach Ben Johnson the way some expected, but he was still productive - 50 catches on 85 targets, 682 yards, six touchdowns.
He also added 79 yards and a score on the ground. That’s versatility and production, even if it didn’t come in highlight-reel fashion.
In Atlanta, those numbers would’ve made Moore the team’s fourth-leading receiver in yards and second in touchdowns. He wouldn’t just be a depth piece - he’d be a legitimate weapon in an offense that’s still trying to find its identity.
Why the Bears Can Afford to Move On
Chicago’s receiver room is in good shape, and that’s part of what makes Moore expendable. Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland are all expected to be major contributors. Add in the possibility of offseason additions, and suddenly Moore’s presence starts to feel more like a luxury than a necessity.
Keeping him around could stunt the growth of those younger weapons, and for a team looking to develop its next generation of stars, that’s not the best use of resources - on the field or on the cap sheet.
The Bottom Line
The pieces are in place. The Bears need financial flexibility and have a surplus at receiver.
The Falcons need a playmaker and have a GM who knows exactly what he’d be getting in Moore. This is the kind of trade that makes sense for both sides - not just as a favor between friends, but as a smart football move for two franchises looking to take the next step.
Now it’s up to Poles and Cunningham to pick up the phone and make it happen.