The Chicago Bears’ 2025 season came to a gut-wrenching end on Sunday night, falling 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams at a frigid Soldier Field. A 42-yard game-winning field goal from Rams kicker Harrison Mevis sealed it, bringing the curtain down on a promising year and the first chapter of the Ben Johnson era in Chicago.
It was the kind of playoff loss that lingers - not just because of how close the Bears came to the NFC Championship, but because of the questions now swirling around one of their most high-profile offensive weapons: DJ Moore.
A Costly Moment in Overtime
Let’s be clear: football is never about just one play or one player. But in the high-stakes crucible of postseason football, certain moments loom larger - and Moore’s misstep in overtime is one that’s hard to ignore.
With just under seven minutes left in OT, the Bears were driving. Caleb Williams, the rookie quarterback who’s already shown flashes of brilliance, fired a ball Moore’s way that could’ve flipped the field and put Chicago in a prime position to win. Instead, Moore appeared to throttle down on the route - jogging rather than sprinting - and Rams safety Kamren Curl capitalized, jumping the pass for a game-changing interception.
That turnover didn’t just stall the drive. It shifted momentum, and eventually, it gave the Rams the window they needed to close the door on Chicago’s season.
Moore’s Production vs. Expectations
Here’s the tough part: Moore wasn’t having a bad game up to that point. He finished with five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown - his fifth score in the last six games.
But when the Bears needed a WR1 moment the most, it wasn’t there. And that’s been the story of Moore’s season in a nutshell: flashes of productivity, but not the consistent, high-level impact that a true No. 1 receiver brings - especially one set to carry a $28.5 million cap hit next season.
Dig a little deeper into the numbers, and the inconsistency becomes clearer. Including the playoffs, Moore had more games under 50 receiving yards (11) than over (eight). That’s not the kind of output you want from your top target, especially in a year where your rookie quarterback is looking for a reliable go-to guy to grow with.
What Comes Next?
From a roster-building standpoint, the Bears are at a crossroads with Moore. Cutting him outright would be costly - a $35.4 million dead cap hit before June 1, and $27.4 million after, according to Spotrac.
But a trade? That’s a different story.
A post-June 1 trade would free up $24.5 million in cap space while only leaving a $4 million dead cap hit behind. That’s a much more manageable path, especially if GM Ryan Poles can find a trade partner willing to take on Moore’s contract.
And there are teams out there that might bite. The Titans, Raiders, and Jets all have wide receiver depth charts in need of a veteran presence, and all have the cap space to make a deal work. Even if the Bears don’t get a huge return, the financial flexibility alone could be worth it - especially with the team looking to continue building around Williams and a young core.
Final Thoughts
DJ Moore is a talented player - that’s never been in question. But in a season where the Bears made real strides and looked like a team on the rise, Moore didn’t consistently play up to the WR1 billing. And in a playoff game where every snap mattered, his lapse in overtime was a moment that may define his time in Chicago.
The Bears are entering a pivotal offseason with a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal and a defense that’s starting to come into its own. If they want to take the next step, tough decisions have to be made - and moving on from Moore might be one of them.