DJ Moore trade speculation is starting to emerge for the Chicago Bears

As the Chicago Bears get ready to wrap up the 2025 regular season against the Detroit Lions — with the NFC wild card round looming — attention is already turning to what changes could be coming in the offseason for this year’s group of standout players.

And wide receiver DJ Moore is at the top of that list.

Admittedly, Moore has come on as of late. He was the hero of Week 16’s miracle win over the Green Bay Packers, and had two touchdowns one week earlier against the Cleveland Browns.

Still, Moore enters Week 18’s finale with just 49 catches for 671 yards and six touchdowns and will make it back-to-back seasons that he’s failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards.

Not quite the production expected from a guy who signed a four-year, $110 million extension before the 2024 season.

Will the Bears trade DJ Moore to make room for Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III?

Compounding matters is the emergence of 2024 first-round pick Rome Odunze, and 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III. Both wideouts are tracking to be Caleb Williams’ primary targets in 2026, leaving Moore to be a really expensive third option.

MORE: Bears rookie Luther Burden III explains explosive mindset with the ball in his hands

However, according to Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer, the odds that DJ Moore plays anywhere but Chicago in 2026 are low.

“Moore is due $24.5 million in cash for next year,” Breer wrote. “He turns 29 in April. In today’s market, that’s not bad for a complementary receiver who, to be fair, has had a down year statistically with 49 catches for 671 yards and six touchdowns. To me, the comfort level of a young quarterback is paramount, and Moore’s certainly a factor in that.”

While I agree that keeping Williams comfortable is the primary goal for GM Ryan Poles, I disagree that Moore is the guy who accomplishes that. Sure, maybe when Williams was a rookie. But, now? Entering his third season? He has more than enough safety blankets in Odunze, Burden, and tight end Colston Loveland.

Moore won’t stick around for that reason. Instead, the challenge of finding a trade partner with the salary cap room to take on his contract — at 29 years old and declining production — will likely keep his roster spot safe.

The Chicago Bears can’t outright cut Moore; he’d cost $35.4 million against the salary cap. Yikes.

Perhaps this is good news. Moore is a fan-favorite; he’s still a good player. And if Ben Johnson has proven anything in 2025, it’s that he has a system that can feed multiple targets, all of which have the potential to come up big when the team needs it most.

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