The Buffalo Bills finalized a trade with the Chicago Bears on Thursday to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore, addressing one of their most urgent offseason needs. Although the deal cannot be processed until the new league year begins on March 11, the move aims to bolster quarterback Josh Allen’s receiving options as the team looks ahead to 2026.
While Moore’s arrival will not singlehandedly resolve the team’s challenges in the passing game, it marks a significant step toward enhancing the Bills’ offensive weapons.
Financial Implications of Acquiring DJ Moore
Moore’s contract imposes a cap hit of $24.5 million annually over the next four seasons, with guaranteed money totaling $23 million in 2026. However, there are strategies the Bills can use to ease the immediate financial burden.
According to Mike Ginnitti, founder of Spotrac,
“Buffalo can process a full salary conversion on DJ Moore upon acquiring him, lowering his cap hit to $6.75M in 2026.”
This cap maneuver would free up roughly $17.7 million, a critical figure given that the Bills were already about $9 million over the salary cap before the trade details were known.
Despite some room to manage the cap number, the trade represents a significant investment for Buffalo. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added that
“As part of today’s trade, Buffalo will be guaranteeing $15.5 million of DJ Moore’s 2028 base salary, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.”
Schefter also noted,
“Moore’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed, and his 2027 salary becomes fully guaranteed next week.”
Draft Picks Exchanged in the Trade
Alongside the financial components, the Bills are sending a valuable 2026 second-round draft pick to the Bears. In return, Buffalo will receive a fifth-round pick for the same draft. This trade leaves the Bills with seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, starting at the 26th overall pick in the first round, and includes a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, two fifth-round selections, and two seventh-round picks.
Wide Receiver Lineup Post-Trade
Once the trade is official, the Bills’ receiver group will feature DJ Moore alongside Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers, Mecole Hardman, and Jalen Virgil. Shakir led the team in 2025 with 72 catches for 719 yards and four touchdowns.
There are expected changes on the roster, as Curtis Samuel is likely to be released at the start of free agency, and Keon Coleman has been the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason.
Moore concluded the 2025 season with career lows in receptions (50) and yards (682), yet his average of 13.6 yards per catch would have ranked highest among qualified Bills receivers. Though his statistical dip may raise questions, his ability to contribute yards per reception remains promising.
Impact on Salary Cap and Team Outlook
The addition of DJ Moore complicates the Bills’ salary cap situation, which requires more fine-tuning before the new league year begins. The team must balance Moore’s costs against other roster needs while fostering a competitive offense centered on Josh Allen.
This move signals the Bills’ commitment to strengthening their passing attack, but the team still faces both financial and personnel decisions in the coming months to maximize their potential for the 2026 season and beyond.
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