Lost in the crazy start to the 2026 NFL free agent frenzy, the Bills—specifically general manager Brandon Beane—made a potential make or break move in acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore from the Bears. This week’s YouTube video from Wolf Sports dives into the trade.
Boosting the WR Room
Buffalo clearly had to do something at wide receiver this offseason. Brandin Cooks has had a great career, but to have to pick him up in middle of the season at 32 years old—after he was released by the Saints—and rely on him as essentially the go-to target down the field displayed the need moving forward.
The Cost
So, the Bills acquiring Moore is not a surprise. What is a surprise is the cost it took to get him: a second-rounder sent to Chicago. This is not to say that Moore isn’t worth that value as a player; but in the context of the Bears clearly being ready to move on with Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze leading the receiving room is what had many including us alarmed at the capital given up.
Most believed it’d be maybe around a fourth-round pick to acquire Moore. That said, perhaps we’ll learn more in the coming days about more teams being involved for the veteran weapon. If not, Buffalo might’ve been bidding against themselves.
Big Games
Though his role overall probably wasn’t what he wanted with the Bears in 2025, Moore did come through in big moment and big games—helping Ben Johnson’s squad win the NFC North in his first year at the helm. Of course, the Bills are looking for someone to step up like that for Josh Allen in January (and hopefully February) contests. Ultimately, that’s where the Moore trade will be won or lost.
Overall, Beane has heard a ton of criticism with the Bills roster not matching other elite squads around the league. If the Moore acquisition doesn’t work out, the criticism will only increase.
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