The Chicago Bears may be a 4-2 team that is starting to show signs of growth as a byproduct of the relationship between quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson, but that didn't stop the trade deadline vultures from trying to figure out a way to get DJ Moore away from this team.
Johnson's desire to go all out in building a quality team around Williams led to them not only bringing in multiple new offensive line starters, but also revamping the pass-catcher stable. New draft picks Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, however, have been blocked by established starters ahead of them.
This has led to Sporting News suggesting the Bears actually consider trading Moore to an AFC East team, as the Patriots, Bills, and Jets all have connections to Moore from his earlier career. Unless the Bears get a franchise-changing haul (they won't), trading Moore seems a bit unreasonable.
Chicago's inability to get Moore the usual level of production we have seen from him in past seasons seems like regular young quarterback growing pains and the adjustment to a new offense, not a player that is on a physical decline.
Bears shouldn't even consider thinking about DJ Moore trade
Moore is putting together the lowest yards per game average and second-lowest catches per game averages of his career, which could be seen as a sign he isn't fitting in with Johnson's offense. The Burden addition makes this situation even more captivating, especially considering how his style of play is similar to Moore's.
Where this trade talk falls apart, however, is the fact that Moore has multiple years left on his contract. Not only would this handicap Ryan Poles in the future due to the humongous dead cap hit he would bring about, but Burden is in no way ready to take over a starting role.
Burden, who is firmly behind Olamide Zaccheus on the depth chart, has just 12 catches on the season, and more than one-third of his yardage came on one play against the Dallas Cowboys. Moore is more experienced, as good after the catch, and more versatile than someone with a particular skill set.
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Moore is still a Pro Bowl talent, and the fact that Rome Odunze has emerged as Williams' favorite target should not discourse the Bears from continuing to find ways to get him involved. Flipping him would be a move a Bears regime of yesteryear would make, not Johnson.