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By Megan Armstrong
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The Chicago Bears weren't satisfied with making it to the NFC Divisional Round last season.
With the 2026 NFL Combine underway in Indianapolis, various rumors are flying about the Bears' potential offseason roster shakeup. It is expected that Chicago will move on from veteran Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, either by trade or release, and there is reported trade interest in at least three other Bears.
"Sources: Teams have inquired with the Bears about trading for DT Gervon Dexter, as the free-agent DT market and draft class are not deep," NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Thursday. "The 24-year-old started all 17 games last season and has 13.5 career sacks and 42 QB hits. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract."
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Schultz additionally reported, "Two other names the Bears have received calls on are QB Tyson Bagent and WR DJ Moore, per sources. Moore has over $23 million in guaranteed money in 2026 and is viewed as available for the right price by teams in the WR market."
Moore, 28, is particularly interesting.
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A March 2023 blockbuster trade sent Chicago's No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Moore and a collection of draft picks. The Panthers used the Bears' 2023 No. 1 overall pick on quarterback Bryce Young, while the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick sent to Chicago resulted in the Bears selecting quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. The Bears' 2025 second-round pick acquired from Carolina became wide receiver Luther Burden III. Ironically, Burden's explosive contributions as a rookie might be making it easier for Chicago to move on from Moore.
Moore was on the receiving end of perhaps the two most iconic Bears moments of 2025. Moore caught the game-winning 46-yard touchdown in overtime to complete a wholly improbable 22-16 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, and he hauled in the go-ahead 25-yard touchdown to cement the Bears' 31-27 Wild Card win over the Packers.
Moore was Williams' veteran safety blanket during his 2024 rookie season — leading the team in receptions (98), targets (140), and receiving yards (966) — while rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze learned the ropes to the tune of 734 yards and three touchdowns. Moore posted another solid season in 2025, with 682 yards and six touchdowns on 50 catches, but rookie tight end Colston Loveland emerged as Williams' go-to target as the 2025 season wore on. Moore and Williams didn't always seem to have the same natural rapport as Williams with Loveland, Odunze, or even Burden at times.
Given that the Bears boast cheap, young pass-catching depth in Burden, Odunze, and Loveland — add in 26-year-old tight end Cole Kmet for good measure — they have the luxury of seeing what the market is for Moore. He carries a $28.5 million cap hit in 2026.
"I gotta have conversations and see the best combination of players we could bring in," Bears general manager Ryan Poles told reporters at the Combine. "We want [Moore] here. We think highly of him. He's a great teammate. He's been productive pretty consistently over the last couple of years that he's been here. So, I have nothing but great things to say about him. But this is the time now where we have to look at all the different scenarios and see what can allow us to put the best team out there."
Moore was selected at No. 24 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by Carolina. The Maryland product posted three-straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Panthers in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and he had a career-best year in his first year with the Bears in 2023: 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 catches.
While Moore remained integral in 2025, his production dropped significantly compared to 2023 and 2024. Regardless, Moore would be a valuable addition to any team in need.
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