As the Chicago Bears eye how to make a deeper postseason run in 2026 and beyond, some tough decisions are coming. As is common along the trajectory to becoming a stable contender, some players who were there at the start won't be around at the apex.
As this offseason ramps up, wide receiver DJ Moore is at the center of trade speculation. His tangible role in the Bears' offense no longer aligns with his cost, and he has never fully connected with Caleb Williams for some reason. There are teams that can give him a notable role, and his overall resume suggests he would be up to the task.
General manager Ryan Poles did nothing to put the idea of trading Moore to bed when he had the chance, and more recently, ESPN's Courtney Cronin left the door open as well. As more potential suitors are put forward, Poles have serious leverage in trade talks, and they should take full advantage of it.
Another DJ Moore suitor is here to add to Ryan Poles' leverage
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently offered a dream offseason trade scenario for each NFL team. That proposed scenario for the Bears, of course, involved Moore and the return they should hope to get for him if they trade him (a Day 2 pick in April's draft).
But for another team, the defending AFC champion New England Patriots, acquiring Moore was Moton's dream offseason trade scenario.
"Last offseason, the New England Patriots splurged in free agency, signing several starting-caliber players on both sides of the ball. This year, they should focus on strengthening Drake Maye's supporting cast."Â
"New England gambled on an investment in Stefon Diggs, who was recovering from a torn ACL, and it paid off. He caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, but the 32-year-old isn't a dynamic playmaker who makes a ton of big plays."
"The Patriots need more speed at receiver. Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas are decent wideouts, though an upgrade over them could help Maye make All-Pro strides in his third season."
"Chicago may be willing to trade Moore for draft capital and shift focus toward developing its younger pass-catchers. If that's the case, the Patriots should make an offer to the Bears for the proven veteran, who can beat defenders over the top and add a new wrinkle to the ground game as a gadget ball-carrier. Moore would bring much-needed juice to a slow-paced offense."
The 32-year-old Diggs' future in New England is up in the air, and behind him, the wide receiver depth chart lacks juice. Along with the element of a reunion with head coach Mike Vrabel, the need for a legit No. 1 wide receiver makes them an easy potential offseason trade suitor for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. But if the cost there proves to be prohibitive, other options should be on the radar.
The Patriots' actual dream offseason trade scenario might be to acquire Brown. A case can be made for Moore as a better overall fit, which could make the talent gap more palatable and navigable for them.
As Poles gets ready to entertain trade offers for Moore, if he hasn't gotten some already, New England is an easy addition to the list of suitors. And they, with a quarterback on a rookie contract, have to do what it takes to maximize their current window in a competitive AFC.
Bryan Perez of SI.com went out on a bit of a limb to wonder if the Bears might be able to get the Patriots' 2026 first-round pick in a deal for Moore. It would be the 31st overall pick, of course, which doesn't necessarily land as a great needle-mover.
However, the idea of doubling up on defensive players in the first round, or of having an easier time trading up for someone they may really covet, is enticing for the Bears.
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If New England ends up having Moore atop their list of wide receiver trade targets, they will have to pony up to garner attention amid what's shaping up to be a solid list of interested teams. So once again, the good news keeps coming for the Bears if they look to move Moore in the coming weeks.