Bills Land D.J. Moore in Blockbuster Trade
Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement with the Chicago Bears to acquire wide receiver D.J. Moore in a high-profile trade. The deal is reportedly in its final stages, giving Josh Allen a proven playmaker after Moore put up strong numbers for Chicago. This move signals the Bills' commitment to remaining among the league's elite offenses for the 2026 season.
The trade sends a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Bears in exchange for D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round selection. This move addresses a significant need for the Bills, who have been searching for a high-caliber wide receiver since trading away Stefon Diggs in the 2024 offseason. For the Bears, the trade is primarily a financial one, saving them $16.5 million against the salary cap. Moore was set to have a $28.5 million cap hit in 2026. The move also clears the way for younger receivers like Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III to take on larger roles in the offense. Moore is coming off a season where he recorded career-lows with 50 catches for 682 yards, though he still managed six touchdowns. This dip in production was attributed to a run-heavy offense and the emergence of other playmakers in Chicago. In his first season with the Bears in 2023, he had a career-year with 1,364 receiving yards. The trade reunites Moore with Buffalo's head coach, Joe Brady, who was his offensive coordinator for two seasons in Carolina (2020-2021). During that time, Moore had some of his most productive years, eclipsing 1,100 receiving yards in both seasons and averaging a career-high 18.1 yards per catch in 2020. Buffalo has struggled with consistent production from its wide receivers recently. In the last two seasons, Khalil Shakir led the team in receiving but did not reach the 900-yard mark in either campaign. Keon Coleman, a second-round pick in 2024, has also had a slow start to his career. As part of the restructured deal, the Bills will guarantee $15.5 million of Moore's 2028 base salary. His substantial 2026 and 2027 salaries are also fully guaranteed. The move signals a clear "win-now" mentality for the Bills, providing MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen with a proven veteran weapon he has lacked. For Chicago, it represents a continued focus on building around younger talent and gaining financial flexibility.
