Dj Moore Chicago Bears

Getty

Dj Moore Chicago Bears

Wide receiver DJ Moore is perhaps the most likely trade candidate on the Chicago Bears‘ roster, and the chances of the team moving him just got even stronger via a new report coming out of the AFC East Division.

The New England Patriots released wideout Stefon Diggs on Wednesday, March 4, creating a vacuum at the top of the position group for the reigning AFC champions. The Athletic reported the move as “cost-saving measure” that complicates what was already a concern for the Patriots’ offense.

“What complicates the move for New England is that the wide receiver position was already one of the team’s most pressing needs,” Chad Graff and Dianna Russini wrote. “Now, it’s arguably the most important position to address this offseason.”

They added that Diggs’ release further positions New England atop the potential trade sweepstakes for Philadelphia Eagles pass-catcher AJ Brown. However, if the Eagles don’t move Brown or if he lands elsewhere, Moore becomes a solid consolation prize at a lower trade cost.

Harrison Graham of Chicago Bears Now cited a report from Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports on Wednesday, which came out prior to Diggs’ release, that there is talk across the league about Moore to New England.

“CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones reports that teams are monitoring Moore and that the Patriots are a team to watch,” Graham wrote on X. “It’s unclear what the Bears would fetch for Moore. Perhaps a 3rd or 4th round pick.”

Stefon Diggs’ Release Creates Option for Bears to Deal DJ MooreStefon Diggs, Houston Texans

GettyWide receiver Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots.

Moore is still a quality NFL starter. However, he is somewhat redundant in Chicago after the team drafted wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III early in the 2024 and 2025 draft, respectively.

Beyond that, Moore is heading into 2026 as Chicago’s most expensive player against the salary cap, as he is about to begin a four-year extension worth $110 million.

The Bears can pick up a late Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick for Moore in trade, while also shedding $16.5 million in cap fees this season. That, in turn, will free up money for the team to pursue potentially expensive additions at left tackle and edge-rusher.

DJ Moore Remains Central to Bears’ Trade Rumors for Maxx CrosbyMaxx Crosby

GettyDefensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Analysts have also frequently mentioned Moore as part of a trade package for Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, for whom trade rumors have picked up in recent days.

Should Moore end up in Las Vegas, a franchise that is also absent the requisite talent at the top of the wide receiver room, a first-round pick from Chicago would likely accompany him, as well as another strong draft asset given the Raiders’ stated asking price.

Moore finished last season with career lows of 50 catches and 682 receiving yards. He added six touchdowns and played a more crucial role down the stretch of the regular season with Odunze out for several games due to an injury.

Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible

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