Chicago Bears' Dream 2026 Offseason Trade Revealed

The Bears are expected to be active in the trade market this offseason, and one deal might be too good for GM Ryan Poles to pass up.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles have work to do this offseason. Sure, it's not as much work as was required over the last few years, but it's work nonetheless.

One challenge facing Poles is the Bears' salary-cap situation. He'll be forced to make some difficult decisions with veteran starters in order to give the Bears some breathing room in free agency.

Players like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back D'Andre Swift are consistently mentioned as potential salary-cap casualties. But there's another name that Bears fans have to monitor closely over the next few weeks: wide receiver DJ Moore.

MORE: Chicago Bears' Breakout Defender Linked to AFC Squad Ahead of 2026 NFL Free Agency

In fact, in a recent breakdown of every team's dream offseason trade, it was Moore who topped the list for Chicago.

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) reacts after making a first down catch. | David Banks-Imagn Images

"The Chicago Bears have a crowded pass-catching group, and DJ Moore's receiving numbers have been on the decline since 2023," Bleacher Report's Moe Moton wrote. "Don't expect Moore's production to trend back in the right direction as wideout Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland gain experience in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. After seeing 140 targets in 2024, he saw 85 targets last season."

Indeed, Moore's role diminished in 2025. However, he remained one of the team's biggest playmakers and came up clutch multiple times with games on the line.

Unfortunately, the NFL doesn't always reward players for what they've done. It's more about what they can provide moving forward. For Moore, his best contribution to the Bears in 2026 and beyond might have nothing to do with on-field production.

MORE: Chicago Bears Land Interior Force in Latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft

"Nonetheless, Rome Odunze, Burden and Loveland are all younger than 25," Moton wrote. "They're the present and future of the Bears' passing attack. Chicago can potentially flip Moore for a third-rounder and use the pick on a defensive prospect."

Whether or not a third-round pick is enough to move the Bears off of Moore is yet to be seen.

Don't expect the Chicago Bears to trade DJ Moore before draft weekend. As wide-receiver-needy teams strike out on the top 2026 free agents, desperation to add a player like Moore will increase. And the offers will get better.

More Chicago Bears News:

• Bears' Planned Stadium Location Chaos Just Got Even Messier

• Why the Bears' Salary Cap Situation isn't Nearly as Bad as it Seems

• Ranking the Top 6 Chicago Bears Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft

• One Fast Riser in 2026 NFL Draft That Every Bears Fan Should Know

Sign Up For the Bears Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Chicago Bears Newsletter