Anonymous NFL Execs Rip Buffalo Bills for DJ Moore Trade

In need of help at wide receiver, the Buffalo Bills sent their second-round pick (No. 60 overall) in the 2026 NFL draft to the Chicago Bears for wide receiver DJ Moore.

The move was met with plenty of criticism, but head coach Joe Brady has experience working with Moore and believes he can be the team's No. 1 wide receiver. Moore's former head coach, Ben Johnson, also recently praised Moore, saying the Bills are getting a true leader.

While speaking anonymously, however, NFL execs haven't been as kind. The Athletic's Mike Sando recapped the AFC's offseason moves and included quotes from NFL decision makers. While looking at the Bills' moves, multiple execs ripped Buffalo for trading for Moore.

“D.J. Moore was gonna get cut, and they gave up a second-round pick to get him,” one exec said. “They gave up a second-round pick and $40 million (in guarantees). What is going on?”

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Chicago Bears WR DJ Moore takes off on a 16-yard touchdown run in the first half against the Detroit Lions. | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Sando added that there's a chance Buffalo felt they had to make a deal to land Moore, since Buffalo might not be an ideal destination for free agents. He also said it could have more to do with Brady's feelings on the wideout.

Moore and Brady did work well together, but that was in 2020. We're now in 2026 and Moore is coming off two consecutive seasons of regression.

“D.J. Moore has two years of regression now,” another exec said. “He is a non-traditional receiver that wins with size and yards after the catch. I still feel they needed someone that could win down the field. Moore can do that — he did it to beat Green Bay. But I feel like his strength is on the underneath catch-and-run stuff, which they already have with (Khalil) Shakir.”

A third executive said the better player would have been to trade for Jaylen Waddle, who was traded to the Denver Broncos. Landing Waddle was far more expensive, but the real issue might have been the Miami Dolphins' reluctance to trade within the division.

Buffalo Bills are in a win-now mode

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore makes a touchdown catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. | Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

Buffalo might have overpaid, but their thinking makes sense. General manager Brandon Beane wants to win now, so he's not focused on Moore's future, but on what he brings to the table for the next couple of seasons.

It's true that Moore has regressed, but he's going to give them more production than any player at No. 60 would have, which is why they were comfortable pulling the trigger.

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