Tuesday night, all was quiet on the Chicago Bears front, in terms of news.
While the rest of the league had major storylines still making headlines and raising unanswered contract questions throughout training camp, all was well in Chicago, everything considered.
But then, the big news broke.
Star wide receiver D.J. Moore and the Bears agreed to a four-year contract extension, tying him to the organization through the 2029 season. It was a deal worth $110 million total and $82.6 million in guarantees.
The Caleb Williams-D.J. Moore connection that began even before the 2024 NFL Draft won't be going anywhere, anytime soon.
DJ Moore and the Bears reached agreement on a four-year, $110 million extesnsion that includes $82.6M guaranteed. The deal was negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 30, 2024
Moore now has had the first 10 years of his career years guaranteed, a first in NFL… pic.twitter.com/pODUlrWGUR
Moore had already been under contract through the 2025 season, but it was clear Ryan Poles had plans to get ahead of the market, and boy did he ever. The $27.5 million annual average, in Moore's new deal, will prove to be a major sacrifice on the veteran's part.
How does DJ Moore’s contract extension compare to Justin Jefferson?
Earlier this offseason, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson earned an extension that would pay him an average of $35 million per season. Jefferson joined peers such as A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaylen Waddle, among others, in taking advantage of an exploding market at the position.
Brandon Aiyuk, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and ultimately guys like Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave will also need new deals within the next two years.
In 2026, when Moore still has four years left on his deal and is averaging that aforementioned $27.5 million per season, Poles is going to be smirking as he looks at a wide receiver market that is well past the $35 million average paid to Justin Jefferson.
As it stands, Moore's new annual average would rank seventh in the league at the wide receiver position. By 2026, it could rank outside the top 12-15, even. For a guy who is, funny enough, seventh in receiving yards since the 2020 season (among WRs), that is pretty remarkable to think about.
Again, this deal shows how much things have changed for the Bears in a matter of just one offseason. Because of the Panthers trade, additional decisions and moves made by Poles, including the arrival of Caleb Williams, this franchise is set up for sustained success in the coming years. Not just that, but it once again proves what kind of player and person they have in Moore.