DJ Moore’s Future in Chicago: A Costly Regression and a Tough Decision Looming
In 2023 and 2024, DJ Moore was the clear-cut WR1 in Chicago. He was the go-to guy, the safety net, the playmaker who made life easier for whoever was under center.
That’s exactly why the Bears locked him in with a contract extension through 2029-when you find a receiver with Moore’s talent, you don’t let him walk. But the NFL moves fast, and what looked like a long-term solution at wideout is now turning into a complex offseason dilemma.
When Ben Johnson was hired as head coach, it felt like a dream fit for Moore. Johnson’s offensive pedigree, especially his work with receivers and creative schemes in Detroit, seemed tailor-made to unlock another level in Moore’s game.
Instead, Moore is on pace for the least productive season of his career-worse than his rookie year back in 2018. Unless he catches fire down the stretch, he’ll finish with under 800 receiving yards, a number that simply doesn’t match his talent or paycheck.
And that paycheck is no small detail. Moore is currently the highest-paid offensive player on the roster, and in 2026, he’s set to earn $28.5 million.
That’s a significant chunk of cap space for a team that’s already tight financially. With Rome Odunze and Luther Burden waiting in the wings-two young, ascending receivers who could form the next great tandem in Chicago-it raises a question the Bears’ front office can’t ignore: Is it time to move on from DJ Moore?
The Financial Math Doesn’t Lie
Let’s start with the hard numbers. Cutting Moore outright?
Not happening. That would leave the Bears with a $7 million cap hit in 2026.
Even a post-June 1st release would be brutal, triggering $27 million in dead cap. The only real path forward, if the Bears decide to move on, is a trade.
A trade would free up $16 million in cap space-money the Bears could use to reinforce other parts of the roster. But finding a trade partner won’t be easy.
Moore’s contract is hefty, and his recent production doesn’t exactly scream “bargain.” Any team interested would need both the cap space and a serious need at wide receiver.
Looking ahead to the 2026 offseason, a few teams check those boxes. The Tennessee Titans could use a proven veteran to stabilize their young offense.
The Las Vegas Raiders, depending on how their quarterback situation shakes out, might be in the market for a reliable target. And don’t sleep on the Los Angeles Chargers-especially if they’re looking to reload around Justin Herbert.
What Would a Trade Look Like?
If the Bears do put Moore on the trade block, expectations for a return should be tempered. This situation mirrors what happened with Amari Cooper in 2022.
Like Moore, Cooper was approaching 29 and coming off a down year. The Cowboys shipped him to Cleveland for a fifth-round pick and a swap of sixth-rounders.
That’s likely the ballpark for Moore: a Day 3 pick, maybe with some late-round movement attached.
It’s not the kind of return that gets fans excited, but it reflects the reality of the market. When a player’s production dips and his contract is heavy, teams aren’t lining up with premium draft picks. It’s less about recouping full value and more about resetting the cap and giving younger talent more room to grow.
Still Time for a Turnaround?
Of course, this isn’t a done deal. There’s still time for Moore to flip the script.
A strong finish to the season-especially if it comes with a few signature performances-could shift the narrative and even make the Bears reconsider their options. Moore’s talent hasn’t disappeared.
Sometimes, it’s just about finding rhythm in a new system.
But as things stand, the writing is on the wall. DJ Moore is a proven talent, a respected veteran, and a guy who’s done everything asked of him since arriving in Chicago.
But football is a business, and the Bears are staring down a tough financial and roster decision. If they believe Odunze and Burden are ready to take the reins, and if Moore can’t rediscover his form, a trade might be the cleanest path forward for both sides.
The next few weeks could determine whether DJ Moore remains a foundational piece in Chicago-or becomes one of the biggest names on the 2026 trade block.