Bills Acquire WR D.J. Moore in Blockbuster Trade with Bears

The deal reunites Moore with former Panthers OC Joe Brady, but comes with financial risks for Buffalo.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:40am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic and disruptive nature of the trade between the Bills and Bears.The Bills' bold move to acquire star receiver D.J. Moore disrupts the NFL landscape, as the team bets on his talent and chemistry with their coaching staff.Chicago Today

The Buffalo Bills have acquired star wide receiver D.J. Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 2nd-round selection. The trade reunites Moore with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who previously worked together in Carolina, but also comes with a hefty price tag for Buffalo with Moore's $24.5 million salary in 2026 and $15.5 million guaranteed in 2027.

Why it matters

The move has the potential to significantly impact the AFC playoff picture, as the Bills look to bolster their receiving corps around quarterback Josh Allen. However, the financial commitment to Moore is a major risk, especially if he doesn't fit seamlessly into Buffalo's offensive system. For the Bears, the trade allows them to free up cap space and focus on developing their young receiving corps led by Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and Colston Loveland.

The details

In the trade, the Bills acquired Moore and a 2026 5th-round pick from the Bears, who received a 2026 2nd-round selection in return. Moore, a former Carolina Panthers standout, had fallen out of favor in Chicago's offense, making him expendable. The Bills are hoping that reuniting Moore with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who previously worked together in Carolina, will unlock his full potential as a true No. 1 receiver.

  • The trade was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter on April 12, 2026.

The players

D.J. Moore

A former 1,000-yard receiver with the Carolina Panthers, Moore is looking to revive his career in Buffalo after struggling to find his footing in Chicago's offense.

Brandon Beane

The Bills' general manager, who has a history of reuniting with former Panthers players, orchestrated this trade to add a dynamic weapon to Buffalo's offense.

Joe Brady

The Bills' offensive coordinator, who previously worked with Moore in Carolina, is expected to play a key role in maximizing the wide receiver's talents in Buffalo's system.

Ben Johnson

The Bears' offensive coordinator, whose system did not seem to be the best fit for Moore's playing style, leading to the decision to trade the veteran receiver.

Adam Schefter

The ESPN reporter who first broke the news of the trade between the Bills and Bears.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to add a player of D.J.'s caliber to our offense. His ability to make plays downfield is a perfect complement to our passing attack.”

— Brandon Beane, Bills General Manager

“This trade allows us to free up cap space and focus on developing our young receiving corps. We're confident in the direction of our offense under Ben Johnson's leadership.”

— Ryan Poles, Bears General Manager

What’s next

The Bills will need to quickly integrate Moore into their offensive system, while the Bears will look to use their newfound cap space and 2nd-round pick to further strengthen their roster ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This trade represents a high-risk, high-reward move for the Bills, who are betting on Moore's talent and his reunion with Joe Brady to elevate their passing attack. For the Bears, it's a strategic masterclass, turning an underperforming asset into valuable draft capital and cap flexibility to build around their young receiving corps.