The Chicago Bears have nowhere to go but up on offense, though their ascension in the future may have little or nothing to do with wide receiver DJ Moore.
Moore is the most talented and accomplished pass-catcher on the roster. He’s also the highest-paid player heading into next season (salary cap hit of $28.5 million), which is the first of a four-year extension worth $110 million.
Multiple ESPN personalities have either predicted or openly discussed Moore’s trade candidacy in recent days.
“The Bears will trade wide receiver DJ Moore, as the future of the position seems set with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III,” Ben Solak of ESPN predicted January 18. “Most of Moore’s money is tied up in salary, not bonuses, which makes it palatable for Chicago to trade him even with four years left on his contract. At 29, he should still be enticing to teams in need of veteran WR play.”
On Thursday, Solak’s colleague Bill Barnwell named Moore on the list of a handful of likely WR trade candidates heading into the offseason.
“Moore is still a starting-caliber wideout, and there should be interest if the Bears do listen to offers,” Barnwell wrote. “A middle-round pick would be a realistic return, but the real benefit might be freeing up $24.5 million in 2026 cash, which would allow [Ben] Johnson and [Ryan] Poles to realign the offense in the coach’s preferred vision.”
DJ Moore Doesn’t Necessarily Fit Into Bears’ Offense Under Ben Johnson
GettyChicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson
Johnson loves to run 12 personnel (two-tight end sets) and spent first-round draft capital on Colston Loveland before selecting Burden in Round 2. Odunze was a top-10 pick the year before and TE2 Cole Kmet is playing on a $50 million deal.
None of Johnson’s overarching philosophy, which also saw Chicago develop the league’s No. 3 rush attack in his first year, or his personnel moves indicate a central focus on Moore. That doesn’t mean it isn’t nice to have a player of his caliber, but it may mean that Moore’s presence on the roster is superfluous — particularly as the team’s most expensive player on either side of the ball.
Plenty of teams like the Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers will likely be in the market for a quality WR1. Moore is still very much that, even if he isn’t elite. And his trade cost projection makes him an even more valuable target in his late 20s.
Caleb Williams, DJ Moore Connection Remains Question After 2 Years Together
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Finally, there is the chemistry issue to consider.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Moore were able to get on the same page for some big plays down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs. However, Moore put up the worst statistical campaign of his career in 2025 in terms of catches (50) and receiving yards (682).
The two also appeared to suffer a miscommunication during the pivotal play in Chicago’s overtime drive against the Los Angeles Rams in last weekend’s Divisional Round contest. It ended in an interception that led into the game-winning drive for L.A.
“He looked to be sleepwalking through a lost 2024 season at times, and it certainly seems as if [Moore] didn’t run the right route or make the right adjustment on the interception Caleb Williams threw in overtime [against the Rams],” Barnwell continued. “It seemed telling that he wasn’t in the locker room after the game or during the locker clean-out Monday.”
Bears Expected to Trade Priciest Player on Roster This Offseason