Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bears Keep Options Open on DJ Moore as Ryan Poles Weighs Trade Scenarios

Chicago's 2026 cap crunch is driving a full evaluation of Moore's future.

Overview

  • At the NFL Combine, GM Ryan Poles praised DJ Moore but said the Bears must consider all scenarios, explicitly leaving a trade on the table.
  • Poles declined to commit to Moore being on the 2026 roster and noted the team is currently over the cap and working through difficult decisions.
  • Moore carries a team‑high $28.5 million cap hit for 2026, and a trade could clear significant space depending on timing, with estimates ranging from about $16.5 million to $24.5 million.
  • The Bears could also create more than $15 million by restructuring Moore’s deal, though that would push money into future seasons and effectively extend his tenure.
  • Trade speculation persists, including analyst proposals tying Moore to a potential deal for an elite edge rusher such as Maxx Crosby, while his reduced 2025 production and a deeper pass‑catching group add to the calculus.