The Chicago Bears and wide receiver DJ Moore could be nearing the end of the line after a bitter end to an exciting third season together in the Windy City.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN explained Chicago’s final offensive play of the postseason in the context of Moore’s involvement on Thursday, January 22.
“It certainly seems as if the 2018 first-round pick didn’t run the right route or make the right adjustment on the interception Caleb Williams threw in overtime during the divisional round loss to the [Los Angeles] Rams,” Barnwell wrote.
Barnwell dubbed Moore a potential surprise trade candidate ahead of the mid-season deadline and named him on Thursday as among the most likely WR trade options/targets heading into the spring.
Barnwell also noted a potentially strong, yet silent, message Moore sent to the team and the NFL in general via his absence from the locker room during a couple of critical moments following the loss to L.A. last Sunday.
“It seemed telling that [Moore] wasn’t in the locker room after the game or during the locker clean-out Monday,” Barnwell continued.
Ben Johnson Absolves DJ Moore, Caleb Williams of Mistakes on Bears’ Playoff-Ending INT Against Rams
GettyHead coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears.
As for what had to be a miscommunication between Williams and Moore on the overtime interception against the Rams — unless Williams simply missed the throw by several feet — Bears head coach Ben Johnson assumed the blame, deflecting it from both QB and WR.
“If there was any sort of miscommunication, that is my problem,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday. “That’s no one else’s but mine.”
Johnson also said the team and Moore “had a really good exit interview” before crediting the veteran wideout as a “huge contributor” in Chicago’s first postseason success since the franchise’s last playoff win in 2010 against the Seattle Seahawks.
DJ Moore Too Expensive to Make Sense on Bears’ Roster Longterm
Wide receiver DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
But regardless of contributions, covering of one another’s backs and kind words, the writing is on the wall in Chicago.
Moore is the team’s most expensive player in 2026 with a salary cap hit of $28.5 million, and that is only the first year of a four-year deal worth $110 million. He is 29 years old and still talented, but Moore had the worst statistical season of his career in 2025 with 50 catches and 682 receiving yards, though he did score six touchdowns.
Chicago can save upwards of $25 million next year alone by trading Moore, and could probably get a third-round or fourth-round pick back in return. The Bears could use that extra money to invest in more defensive line help, particularly at the edge-rusher position, where QB pressures often disappeared during a 35-sack season for Chicago’s defense.
The team could also consider an upgrade at the running back position after what had been a dominant rush attack (ranked No. 3 in the league during the regular season) tapered off to a meaningful degree once the playoffs began.
Chicago could even think about spending on a left tackle if the franchise so chose, though the free-agent market is less stacked with talent at that position than it is at outside linebacker and defensive end.
DJ Moore Sends Cryptic Message to Bears After Playoff Loss