Bears predicted to part ways with $23 million weapon originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Chicago Bears were so close to continuing on their incredible 2025 journey, but fell short against the Los Angeles Rams.
Now attention turns to the offseason for Ben Johnson and Co.
Caleb Williams improved out of sight, and the defense took the ball away for fun. But neither of those things is guaranteed to happen in 2026.
The Bears can’t stand still. They have to improve, and there are several ways to do it.
And for ESPN’s Ben Solak, in what is an odd move, his big prediction for the offseason is that the Bears will trade receiver D.J. Moore.
“The Bears will trade wide receiver DJ Moore, as the future of the position seems set with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III,” Solak wrote. “Most of Moore’s money is tied up in salary, not bonuses, which makes it palatable for Chicago to trade him even with four years left on his contract. At 29, he should still be enticing to teams in need of veteran WR play.”
More:Bears sign 14 players to futures contracts after playoff elimination
Could Bears really trade Moore?
Yes, they could, but it will all come down to the money.
Per Over The Cap, if the Bears traded Moore pre June 1, the franchise would eat $12 million in dead money, but save $16 million.
But if he were traded post June 1, this is where Chicago really benefits. It would eat just $4 million of dead money and save $24 million. That, my friends, is the reason the Bears could move on.
They just have to find a trade partner who can afford his $23 million APY salary.
Plus, will Johnson be content with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as Williams’ go-to weapons in 2026? We’re about to find out.