The NFL free agency period always brings its fair share of excitement, and this year was no different, with a notable trade between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills shaking things up. The Bills acquired wide receiver DJ Moore along with a 2026 fifth-round pick, while the Bears secured a 2026 second-round pick in return.
So, who really won this trade? Let’s dive into the details with insights from NFL experts.
Seth Walder from ESPN didn’t hold back, giving the Bills a D grade for the trade while awarding the Bears an A. According to Walder, the Bills are in a position where they need to bolster their receiving corps for their star quarterback, Josh Allen. However, he argues that the cost of acquiring Moore, both in terms of draft capital and his hefty contract, might not be the most strategic move.
On the flip side, CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani offers a slightly more optimistic view for the Bills, grading them with a B-. The Bears, meanwhile, received a B.
Dajani points out that bringing in a seasoned receiver like Moore could be beneficial for Allen, as the Bills parted with a second-round pick to make it happen. Moore’s contract was a talking point, with $15.5 million of his 2028 salary guaranteed as part of the deal, while his 2026 salary is already locked in at $23.5 million.
This trade highlights the different strategies teams employ during the offseason. Some are shedding salary to stay under the cap, while others are aggressively acquiring talent to strengthen their rosters.
For the Bills, this move signifies a commitment to providing Allen with more weapons, albeit at a significant financial cost. Meanwhile, the Bears seem to have played their cards well, gaining valuable draft capital for the future.
As the dust settles, both teams will be eager to see how this trade pans out on the field. The Bills are betting on Moore to be a game-changer, while the Bears are setting their sights on building for the long haul. Only time will tell which team truly came out on top.