Bears GM Ryan Poles addresses DJ Moore’s future with the organization and what he brought to the team this past season
The Bears have a big decision coming up with the team’s highest-paid offensive player.
Things could not have ended more poorly for Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore than how the 2025-26 season ended for the team’s highest-paid offensive player.
Moore was at the wrong end of the most critical play in the team’s divisional-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams: an overtime interception by Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to essentially seal the team’s fate and end Chicago’s season.
After the game, Williams noted the clear miscommunication between him and Moore, with fans quickly pointing out other similar instances over the past two seasons. In general, it was a frustrating season for Moore, whose production was nowhere near the standard this team had for him coming into the season. And now decisions have to be made, one way or another, regarding his future.
Ryan Poles addresses DJ Moore’s frustrating 2025-26 season and potential future
On Wednesday, Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson met with the media to lay out the road ahead of the offseason and reflect on the previous season’s success. Eventually, the elephant in the room was addressed by Poles regarding Moore’s fit with the team from this past season and moving forward.
“I’ll use his words, he didn’t care about stats, all he cared about was winning,” Poles explained. “This is the most winning DJ’s ever had, probably since high school. That’s all he cares about. In terms of roster, like, I said, we got a lot of decisions to make and figuring that out.”
DJ Moore’s 2025-26 Stats and Career Rank
- Targets: 85 (second-fewest of his career)
- Receptions: 50 (fewest of his career)
- Receiving Yards:682 (fewest of his career)
- Receiving TDs: 6 (T-3rd most of his career)
Moore’s 2026 base salary of $23,485,000 was already guaranteed last year, which does play a role in the upcoming decision, but the team could still explore a trade and can free up a lot of future money. Based on his stats and fit within this offense, that outcome still makes the most sense. The tough part is that the Bears feel strongly about what Moore brings to Chicago beyond the stat sheet.
“I think what stood out about DJ this year is the level of toughness rubbed off on our team,” Poles added. “Guys, if they were dinged up, they almost had to go because DJ was going. He was able to fight through a lot. I have a lot of respect for him.”
To Moore’s credit, he was on the injury report all season and managed to play all 19 games. It’s fair to say Moore’s dip in production could be tied to the injuries, but it’s more than just injuries. There seemed to be a clear disconnect between him and Williams that goes back to last season as well.
There will be a different standard out of the WR room, with or without DJ Moore, in 2026
Johnson considered Moore a “huge contributor” to the team’s success “this season” but also weighed in on some of the expectations he has for the entire wide receiver position going into 2026.
“We gotta do a better job catching the football next year,” Johnson explained. “I can tell you right now that will be a point of emphasis for us when they come back in the springtime.”
Johnson’s point is certainly valid, as the Bears finished fifth in the league with 29 drops, with Williams leading the league in passing yards lost due to drops. The wide receiver position accounted for 21 of those drops. It’s something Williams noted he intends to focus on this offseason as well.
Whether or not Moore stays for 2026 remains to be seen. And if he’s gone, the expectations will be even higher for the younger players to step up as consistent playmakers.
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