The Chicago Bears are fresh off an impressive season, and GM Ryan Poles is already shaking things up to boost their Super Bowl prospects. One of the offseason's eyebrow-raising moves was trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-round pick.
Poles spoke to reporters on Thursday, diving into the team's free agency maneuvers. He touched on the Moore trade, sharing a personal anecdote about his son's reaction. Apparently, Moore sent a video to Poles' son to smooth things over, telling him not to be upset with his dad.
"DJ's one of my favorite players, and he always will be," Poles said. "I knew this would be tough for our organization.
My son, a die-hard Bears fan, wasn't thrilled with me. It was really cool of DJ to send him a video explaining that it's just part of the business."
This gesture from Moore speaks volumes about his character. Even as he exits, he ensures there's no hard feelings in the Poles household.
Moore was a significant acquisition for Poles back in 2023, when he orchestrated a blockbuster deal with the Carolina Panthers. The Bears gave up the first-overall pick and, in return, snagged a 2024 first-round pick (which became the No. 1 overall pick), a 2025 second-round pick, and Moore himself.
Moore's impact was immediate. In 2023, he pulled in 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns on 136 targets.
The following year, he caught 98 passes for 966 yards and six touchdowns. This past season, though, his numbers dipped a bit, partly due to the rise of tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.
Moore finished with 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns on 85 targets.
With Loveland and Burden stepping up, and Rome Odunze also in the mix, the Bears decided it was time to move on from Moore. They did right by him, sending him to the Bills, a team poised for a Super Bowl run in a competitive AFC. Plus, Moore gets to reunite with former Panthers offensive coordinator and current Bills head coach Joe Brady.