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The Buffalo Bills have made a major move to strengthen their offense by acquiring star wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. According to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bills reached an agreement Thursday to bring DJ Moore to Buffalo.
The trade gives quarterback Josh Allen a proven target as the team looks to improve its passing attack. The addition of Moore addresses one of Buffalo’s biggest needs entering the offseason.
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Sources told ESPN that the Bills will send a 2026 second-round draft pick to Chicago. In return, Buffalo will receive DJ Moore along with a 2026 fifth-round pick.
The deal cannot become official until the NFL’s new league year begins next Wednesday. Once finalized, Moore will immediately become one of the most experienced receivers on the Bills roster.
DJ Moore’s contract also includes several guaranteed salary figures over the next few seasons. His $23.5 million base salary for 2026 is already fully guaranteed.
His 2027 base salary of $23.5 million will become fully guaranteed next week. In addition, Buffalo plans to guarantee $15.5 million of Moore’s $23.5 million base salary for the 2028 season, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.
The move also reunites DJ Moore with new Bills head coach Joe Brady. The wide receiver previously played under Brady with the Carolina Panthers when Brady served as offensive coordinator in 2020 and part of the 2021 season.
During that time, Moore enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career. In 2020, he averaged a career-high 18.1 yards per catch and finished with more than 1,100 receiving yards.
The Bills have made similar aggressive moves for receivers before. In 2020, general manager Brandon Beane traded a first-round pick to acquire star wideout Stefon Diggs, a move that transformed the team’s offense.
Buffalo entered this offseason with a clear need for more consistency at wide receiver. DJ Moore is expected to join a receiving group that includes Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel, who previously played with Moore in Carolina.
DJ Moore joined the Chicago Bears in 2023 as part of a major deal that allowed the Carolina Panthers to move up and secure the first overall pick in the draft. After arriving in Chicago, Moore quickly built strong on-field chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields.
That connection helped Moore produce a career season with 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during his first year in Chicago. He immediately became the Bears’ top receiving weapon.
The situation changed in later seasons as the team adjusted to new offensive systems and quarterbacks. During rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’s 2024 season, DJ Moore still led Chicago with 98 receptions for 966 yards.
However, his role shifted in 2025 as the Bears added more playmakers. The emergence of tight end Colston Loveland and wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III reduced Moore’s opportunities.
He finished the season with a career-low 50 catches and 682 receiving yards. Even so, Moore remained durable and played all 17 games.
One of Moore’s most memorable moments came late in the season. He caught a 46-yard overtime touchdown to defeat the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 20.
The Bears had signed DJ Moore to a four-year, $110 million contract extension two years earlier, the largest deal for a receiver in franchise history. But with several young pass catchers emerging, Chicago decided to move DJ Moore to reshape its offense.
For the Bills, adding Moore could help revive a passing game that has relied less on wide receivers in recent seasons. According to ESPN Research, wide receivers accounted for 72% of Buffalo’s targets in 2020, the highest rate in the NFL.
That number dropped to 55% by the 2025 season, ranking 22nd in the league. With DJ Moore now joining the roster, the Bills hope their passing attack will once again become one of the NFL’s most dangerous.
FAQ:
Why did the Buffalo Bills trade for DJ Moore?
The Bills acquired Moore to strengthen their passing attack and give quarterback Josh Allen another reliable receiving option. Moore is known for his speed, route running, and ability to gain yards after the catch.
What did the Buffalo Bills give up to acquire DJ Moore?
Reports say the Buffalo Bills sent a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick.
When did DJ Moore join the Chicago Bears?
Moore joined the Chicago Bears in 2023 as part of a major trade that allowed the Carolina Panthers to move up in the draft and select the very first overall player. After arriving in Chicago, Moore quickly built strong on-field chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields.
How did DJ Moore perform with the Chicago Bears?
During his time with the Bears, Moore became one of the team’s top offensive weapons. He produced strong receiving numbers and developed good chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields.
How will DJ Moore impact the Buffalo Bills offense?
Moore is expected to play a key role in the Bills’ offense. His ability to create separation and make big plays could make the passing game even more dangerous for opponents.
Who reported the DJ Moore trade to the Bills?
ESPN journalist Adam Schefter was the first to report the details of the trade.
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