Bills, Bears swing big-time WR trade ahead of NFL free agency
The Buffalo Bills are acquiring the extra wide receiver help they needed ahead of the start of free agency.
Buffalo is trading for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, according to multiple reports on Thursday, March 5. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report news of the trade, which will not be finalized until the start of the new league year on March 11.
Moore, 28, first landed in Chicago via a trade from the Carolina Panthers in 2023. The Panthers received the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as part of the trade, which they used to draft quarterback Bryce Young.
The trade reunites Moore with Bills head coach Joe Brady, who served as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
In three seasons with the Bears, Moore recorded 244 catches, 3,012 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. His 2025 season was his weakest from a production standpoint in Chicago with six touchdowns to go with career lows in catches (50) and receiving yards (682).
The Bills have not had a wide receiver record more than 850 yards in a season since trading away Stefon Diggs after the 2023 season. Their lead receiver in 2025, Khalil Shakir, finished the year with 719 yards on 72 catches and four touchdowns. By acquiring Moore, Buffalo adds a receiver with No. 1 potential to its passing offense.
Conversely, Chicago appeared set to move on from Moore after 2025 with rookie tight end Colston Loveland and rookie wide receiver Luther Burden finding early success in the pros alongside second-year wideout Rome Odunze.
DJ Moore trade details
Full trade compensation has been determined, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Here’s what each team receives in the trade:
Bills receive:
- WR DJ Moore
- 2026 fifth-round pick
Bears receive:
- 2026 second-round pick
DJ Moore stats
2025:
- Games (starts): 17 (17)
- Receptions: 50
- Receiving yards: 682
- Yards per reception: 13.6
- Touchdowns: 6
Career:
- Games (starts): 131 (124)
- Receptions: 608
- Receiving yards: 8,213
- Yards per reception: 13.5
- Touchdowns: 41
