A number of potential trades could be worked out shortly in the Bears’ case. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been given permission to seek a change of scenery, while backup quarterback Tyson Bagent has been the subject of attention from suitors. 
Other Chicago players could soon find themselves on the move as well. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that wideout D.J. Moore as well as defensive tackle Gervon Dexter have mentioned during trade calls. Moore in particular is seen as being “available for the right price,” per Schultz.
Over the course of his three years in Chicago, Moore has remained a full-time starter. However, 2025 saw a notable drop-off in his production (682 yards) and usage (85 targets) compared to previous years. The former Panther still managed six touchdowns and was on the field for 85% of the team’s offensive snaps, showcasing his value in the event he is retained. As general manager Ryan Poles recently noted, though, the door is open to a trade.
“We want him here,” Poles said of Moore when speaking at the NFL Combine (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “We thinking highly of him… But this is the time now where we have to look at all the scenarios that will allow us to put the best team out there… He’s a guy we want here but we have to look at all the scenarios.”
One of those scenarios is a trade which would yield $16.5MM in cap savings (and generate a dead money charge of $12MM). As things stand, Moore is due to carry a cap hit of $28.5MM in 2026 absent a restructure or extension aimed at lowering that figure. On March 15, $15.5MM of the former first-rounder’s base salary for next season will become guaranteed. Clarity on this front will no doubt emerge before that date.
Dexter was a member of the Bears’ 2023 draft class, meaning he is now eligible for an extension. The Florida product was a rotational presence during his rookie season, but since then he has served as a full-time starter. Dexter has totaled 11 sacks over the past two years, and at the age of 24 he will be expected to remain productive for the foreseeable future. That will help his bargaining power on the extension front, but it will also make him an attractive trade target.
Dexter has one year remaining on his rookie pact. The benefits of a trade in his case would be negligible compared to a swap involving Edmunds or Moore, though. The chance of Chicago moving on from at least one veteran contract will be something to watch for as the new league year approaches.
Patriots, Raiders, Commanders make phone calls
Raiders make a lot of sense.
New regime and top 2 in cap space. Also WR needy too
Yup, and desperately need a quality vet for Mendoza. I assume they’ll also draft a guy so Moore can kind of lead that room with new guy, Tucker, and Bech, and show them the ropes in the NFL.
Hell they could get multiple guys in free agency. Romeo Doubs is a solid piece too
Agreed about Doubs. Really curious to see how his market develops. They definitely need to spend on their OL, too.
WR market is so quiet that’s how know teams will make big moves. They’re playing chess. I know Wandale and Pierce will have massive attention
Could see Tennessee being a fit for Moore. He would improve their receiver group and they have more cap space than they can possibly spend in free agency.
I would add that his drop in production (IMO) was due, at least in part, because of the effectiveness of other receivers, ie, Loveland and Burden in particular. There’s only so many catches to be made, but even if he didn’t have as many, a number of his receptions were huge… His numbers would go up on a team without so many viable options. He’s also willing to play hurt and doesn’t miss games. As a Bear fan I’d hate to lose him, but man, they really need the cap space..
Poles and Johnson both spoke about not only a deep receiver/pass catching group but the new offense that Johnson runs is still a learning process. But you’re correct. Only so many balls to be caught.
I imagine the Bears will try to work out a contract restructure before going down the trade road. If Williams whines loud enough about losing a WR target, Moore probably gets to stick around.
Deep WR class. Move Moore, replace him at a fraction of the cost with a mid-round guy who will be more complementary and demand the ball less a la Ja’kobi Lane, Bryce Lance, or Josh Cameron.
Every time the Bears mention drafting a WR I have this nightmare of them selecting another Kevin White…lol.
Hey, they’ve done pretty well lately. Odunze, although inconsistent thus far, has had some massive games. Burden looks the part of a #2 WR.
Moore is still a solid WR.
Imo he and Swift (two of the best to come out of Philly in recent memory) both suffered from the fact that both are at their best when used in a variety of ways.
In 2024, it was Moore being utilized that way but this past season, it was Swift. Moore’s numbers stayed low all season as a result rather than him having the late season breakout like in 2024.
A number of teams could definitely use him though.
Moore is still productive and his RAC is what makes him dangerous. Still he has shown a couple of warts the last 2 years with his pouting and the last play we all remember whatever it was. We know what it looked like and it wasn’t a good look. Moving Dexter is an intriguing idea. He has the best future of all the Bears D Linemen except maybe Turner who we haven’t seen much of yet. Jarrett was a mistake and Odeyingbo got hurt. So a Line that looked decent suddenly looks like Swiss Cheese. If you were going to move Dexter it would be prudent to do it right before you have to pay him bigger money to stay. It all depends on risk over reward. What it will cost to replace him. Lot of ways for this to go this off season.
It’s a bit depressing to think a defense that ranked 29th could go in a negative direction.