Bears Trade DJ Moore to Bills
Chicago Bears traded WR DJ Moore and a 5th-round pick to Buffalo for a 2nd-round pick, freeing up $44 million in cap space. The Bills guaranteed Moore's 2028 salary, eliminating future cap obligations for Chicago. Bears also released LB Tremaine Edmunds, giving them massive flexibility to target edge rushers like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby in free agency.
The moves provide the Bears significant financial relief, clearing a combined $31.5 million in 2026 salary cap space between the two players. Chicago went from being over the salary cap to having roughly $33 million in available space, which ranks 12th in the NFL. This week's moves, including the surprise retirement of center Drew Dalman, have created approximately $44 million in new cap room. DJ Moore's production dipped significantly last season, with career lows of 50 receptions for 682 yards, making his contract less palatable for a rebuilding team. Over his 51-game career in Chicago, Moore accumulated 244 catches for 3,012 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Bills will now take on his entire contract, which carries a $24.5 million cap hit in each of the next four seasons. The release of Tremaine Edmunds comes just one year after he signed a four-year, $72 million contract with $50 million in guaranteed money. Despite leading the team with 112 tackles last season while missing four games, his $17.9 million cap hit for 2026 was deemed too high. The newly created cap space positions the Bears to be aggressive in free agency. Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024, is a prime target as he is set to be an unrestricted free agent. Hendrickson played the 2025 season on a one-year reworked deal worth $30 million after a lengthy contract dispute. Another name linked to Chicago is Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. Acquiring Crosby would likely require a trade, as he signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension in March 2025, which at the time made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. His cap hit for the 2026 season is a substantial $35.7 million.
