The window may be closing for the Buffalo Bills. The Divisional Round defeat against the Denver Broncos left Josh Allen and the entire organization reeling, even costing Sean McDermott his job. In response, Buffalo began planning for the next season on Thursday, acquiring wide receiver D.J. Moore via trade with the Chicago Bears, according to reports from Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Chicago will receive a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick in the deal. As part of the trade, Buffalo will guarantee $15.5 million of Moore’s base salary for 2028, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. Moore’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed and his 2027 salary will be guaranteed next week.
Moore amassed 3,012 receiving yards during his time in Chicago, adding 20 receiving touchdowns for the NFC North franchise. He also proved pivotal in the playoffs, scoring touchdowns against both the Packers and the Rams. His touchdown against Green Bay came in overtime to eliminate a divisional rival in the Wild Card round.
In 2020, Moore led the NFL with a 62% catch rate on throws of 25+ yards. Josh Allen has struggled with deep passes, completing 39.1% of throws over 20 yards, but averages 64% completion on similar throws throughout his NFL career, according to Statmuse.
The move isn’t a surprise for the Chicago Bears, who believe they have young talent capable of filling the void left by Moore, including Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, alongside Olamide Zacheaus. Bears coach Ben Johnson acknowledged that “Moore was an crucial player for us to get to where we were, getting to one game away from the Super Bowl.”
Is Moore the Missing Piece for Allen?
Since Stefon Diggs, who will be a free agent in the coming days, Josh Allen and the Bills haven’t had a receiver surpass 1,000 receiving yards. Khalil Shakir was the team’s leading receiver in the last two seasons, with 995 yards in 2024 and 719 yards in 2025.
Moore could change that. The receiver, who also played for the Carolina Panthers, has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four seasons, with his best season coming in 2023 when he recorded 1,364 yards with the Bears.
The Carolina Panthers drafted Moore in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent five years with the Panthers, catching 364 passes for 5,201 yards and 21 touchdowns.
At 28 years old, Moore joins Josh Allen and is poised to become the Bills’ primary receiving threat. His explosiveness, combined with Allen’s talent, could finally propel Buffalo to the Super Bowl.
The acquisition of Moore addresses a clear need for the Bills, who struggled to consistently generate explosive plays through the air last season. Diggs’ departure created a significant void, and even as Shakir showed promise, he lacked the proven track record of a true No. 1 receiver. Moore’s ability to win contested catches and create separation downfield should provide Allen with a reliable target on all levels of the field.
The Bills’ offensive philosophy under new leadership will likely emphasize utilizing Moore’s strengths. Expect to see him targeted frequently on intermediate routes and deep balls, challenging opposing defenses to account for his speed and agility. The success of this pairing will depend on Allen and Moore quickly establishing chemistry and developing a rapport.
For the Bears, the trade signifies a commitment to building through the draft and developing their young receiving corps. Odunze and Burden III represent promising prospects with the potential to become impact players, and the additional draft capital acquired in the trade will allow Chicago to further bolster their roster. The Bears are banking on their young talent to step up and fill the void left by Moore’s departure.
The Bills’ pursuit of a Super Bowl title has been marked by near misses and heartbreaking defeats. Adding a proven playmaker like Moore is a significant step towards addressing their offensive shortcomings and maximizing Allen’s potential. Whether this move will finally be the catalyst for a championship run remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly injects a new level of optimism into the Buffalo fanbase.
Buffalo’s next confirmed action is the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period on Monday, March 9 at 12 p.m. ET. The Bills will likely be active in free agency, addressing other needs on both sides of the ball. Fans can follow updates on the team’s official website and social media channels.
What are your thoughts on the trade? Will D.J. Moore be the missing piece for the Bills? Share your opinions in the comments below!
