The Buffalo Bills found the proven wide receiver weapon they’ve been missing.
The Bills are acquiring receiver DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick in a trade with the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday, per sources informed of the situation.
Moore not only brings a much-needed veteran producer to Buffalo, but he also has first-hand experience in Joe Brady’s system, having played under the new Bills head coach in Carolina, where Brady was the offensive coordinator for 19 games over 2020 and 2021 before being fired in early December of his second season.
The stint under Brady was the most productive stretch of Moore’s career, including 1,193 yards and a career-high 18.1 yards per catch in 2020 in just 15 games.
Brady will know how to get the most out of the wideout, who enters his age-29 season, after he experienced the least productive season in 2025.
Most effective as an outside receiver, Moore will pair well with Khalil Shakir, who thrives as a shifty slot. The move immediately upgrades a Bills receiver unit that generated the ninth-fewest receiving yards by a WR crew in 2025 (2,107), per NFL Research. Adding a proven playmaker, who has shown he can flourish in the offense, pushes the rest of the receiver corps into more comfortable roles and ensures the Bills aren’t banking on Keon Coleman breaking out in Year 3. If that happens, it will be an added bonus.
Given the issues at receiver Buffalo went through last season, adding Moore shouldn’t be where it ends for general manager Brandon Beane. Acquiring another playmaker in the draft remains on the table.
Josh Allen carried too much of the load in previous seasons, getting him aid in 2026 is priority No. 1 in Western New York. Trading for Moore is a great first step. He might not be a field-tilting No. 1, but Moore can still be productive and gives Allen a player who can get open and stretch the field, something Buffalo sorely lacked a year ago.
Moore never looked comfortable in Ben Johnson’s offense, producing a career-low 682 yards on 50 catches with six touchdowns last season. With the Bears expected to lean more heavily on youngsters Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, Moore was movable.
The veteran wideout was slated to count $28.5 million against the salary cap in 2026, with $23.458 million in base salary. The trade saves the Bears $16.5 million against the cap with $12 million in dead money, per Over The Cap. The Bills, who were already above the cap threshold, will have to make moves to become compliant before the trade goes through next Wednesday when the new league year begins.
The Bears' shedding cap space ahead of the new league year could portend a splash play from GM Ryan Poles, who hasn’t been afraid to make bold moves.