The Chicago Bears have had a busy time since the NFL Scouting Combine concluded the pre-free agency portion of the offseason. The Bears have agreed to trade veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. This is a move that will be officially announced once the new league year begins.
Chicago will commit Moore, the leading receiver for the 2025 WR spot, and a 2026 fifth-round pick (164th overall) to the Bills. In return, the Bears will acquire Buffalo’s 2026 second-round pick, 60th overall.
This follows the surprise retirement of starting center Drew Dalman, who stepped down at the age of 27 after just one season in Chicago.
bears draft slots
The pending trade will give the Bears two tight end selections near the end of the second round. Chicago has its own draft spot at No. 57 and has now added Buffalo’s spot at No. 60. The Bears still have a first-round pick at No. 25 overall.
Due to previous trades, the Bears still have a significant gap on Day 3 draft picks. Chicago has a fourth-rounder of its own, but doesn’t select a player until the seventh round.
Round 1: 25th overall
Round 2: No. 57
Round 2: No. 60
Round 3: No. 89
Round 4: No. 129
Round 7: No. 238
Round 7: No. 240
changing needs
Dalman’s sudden departure moves the Bears’ list of offseason needs significantly up to center. There are several options available in free agency ahead of the draft, but losing Dalman leaves a big long-term need in the middle of the offensive line. Left tackle Ozzie Trapillo is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after tearing his patellar tendon in Chicago’s playoff win over Green Bay last January.
A Moore trade doesn’t necessarily increase the need for wide receivers. Chicago drafted Luther Burden in the second round, 39th overall, a year ago. In 2024, Chicago drafted WR Rome Odunze with the 9th overall pick. Odunze and Burden were already projected as Chicago’s top two future wide receivers.
The need for a wide receiver arises after the top two. Jahdae Walker, an undrafted free agent in 2025, is the only WR under contract entering free agency. Walker caught six passes as a rookie.
Filling holes on the offensive line, where top reserves Braxton Jones and Ryan Bates are also free agents, appears to be a higher priority for offensive-minded coach Ben Johnson. Chicago did well with 2025 first-round tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland led the Bears in receptions (58) as a rookie, and veteran Cole Kmet is also a capable receiving option at tight end in Johnson’s offense.
Holes in defense remain
Of course, Chicago doesn’t have any safeties under contract who played for the team in 2025. Kevin Byard or Jonathan Owens could return in free agency, but that leaves a huge hole in the back of the defense.
The Bears also need help on the defensive line, where Chicago is losing prominent depth players Andrew Billings (DT) and Dominique Robinson (DE) to free agency. Starting DT Grady Jarrett is 32 years old, and top pass rusher Montez Sweat turns 30 in September and hasn’t produced a sack worthy of his hefty contract that runs through 2027. Reinforcements are needed, especially with Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner suffering season-ending injuries.
The additional second-round pick gives Chicago more ammunition to fire on a potential trade for Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby, an oft-speculated deal that would significantly alter Chicago’s offseason fortunes.
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