Bears execute a surprising move to make Caleb Williams pretty happy
The Chicago Bears had DJ Moore with two years left on his deal, and Keenan Allen entering a contract year. But after all, Moore is the main offensive weapon and general manager Ryan Poles decided to extend him, and not Allen. On Tuesday night, in what could be seen as a surprising move, the Bears […]
The Chicago Bears had DJ Moore with two years left on his deal, and Keenan Allen entering a contract year. But after all, Moore is the main offensive weapon and general manager Ryan Poles decided to extend him, and not Allen.
On Tuesday night, in what could be seen as a surprising move, the Bears gave Moore a four-year, $110 million extension, with $82.6 million in guarantees. Moore had already two years under contract, so his new deal keeps him in Chicago through 2029. The news was first reported by ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter.
The $27.5 million yearly average puts DJ Moore as the seventh highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, behind Justin Jefferson, AJ Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Davante Adams. It’s a fairly team-friendly deal based on that, but it also makes sense for Moore since he didn’t have much leverage with two years left on his deal.
Moore was slated to make $16.05 million in each of 2024 and in 2025. So in total, it’s a six-year, $142.1 million contract — $23.68 million per season.
The Bears acquired DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers as part of the first overall pick trade in 2023 — Carolina selected quarterback Bryce Young. Chicago also received the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2024, which ended up being the first overall pick, and used it to draft quarterback Caleb Williams. Now, Williams and Moore presumably will be the leaders of the offense, with the help from wide receivers Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze.
In his first year in Chicago, still with Justin Fields as the starting quarterback, Moore finished the season with 96 receptions for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns.
Allen questions
The remaining question mark with the Bears' receiving room is what they will do with Keenan Allen. The veteran player is slated to make $23.1 million in 2024, the last of his deal, which the Bears acquired from the Los Angeles Chargers for a fourth-round pick.
Allen is 32 years old, so an extension seems more complicated than Moore's, who is 27.
Bears OTAs: Caleb Williams and DJ Moore show off their connection with an impressive touchdown on Friday
This connection will be special.
