The Buffalo Bills have acquired wide receiver D. J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection. The trade cannot become official until the start of the new NFL league year on March 11.
Since entering the NFL as the 24th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Moore, 28, has built a strong résumé with 608 receptions for 8,213 yards and 41 touchdowns over eight seasons. He joined Chicago in 2023 as part of the trade that gave Carolina the No. 1 pick used to draft quarterback Bryce Young.
The wide receiver is coming off a quieter year statistically, finishing with 50 catches for 682 yards and six touchdowns — the lowest totals of his career in both receptions and yards. Even so, he still tied for the Bears’ team lead in touchdown receptions. League observers believe the dip in production was partly due to inconsistent chemistry with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Buffalo’s new head coach Joe Brady targeted Moore as a reliable option for quarterback Josh Allen after the team’s season ended in an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round. Adding Moore fills a key need at wide receiver and could allow the Bills to use the No. 26 pick in the upcoming draft to strengthen other areas, including a run defense that struggled last season.
The move reunites Moore with Brady, who previously served as his offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers. During their full season together in 2020, Moore posted 1,193 receiving yards, four touchdowns, and a career-best 18.1 yards per catch.
In Chicago, Moore totaled 244 catches, 3,012 yards, and 20 touchdowns across three seasons. However, the Bears’ offense has recently shifted toward younger playmakers, including rookie tight end Colston Loveland, rookie wideout Luther Burden, and second-year receiver Rome Odunze.
For Buffalo, Moore provides a potential No. 1 receiving target. The Bills have not had a wide receiver surpass 850 yards in a season since trading away Stefon Diggs after the 2023 campaign. Their leading receiver last season, Khalil Shakir, finished with 719 yards on 72 receptions and four touchdowns.
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