Latest NFL release adds more intrigue to the DJ Moore trade conversation by creating an obvious suitor the Bears should call
The New England Patriots could be setting up for a big-name addition at the WR position.
As more teams continue to make roster moves ahead of the start of the new league year next week, the Chicago Bears remain quiet but it’s clear this team is plotting some big moves.
One name to watch is wide receiver DJ Moore, a potential trade candidate for team’s in need of a veteran wide receiver. Moore is coming of the least productive season of his career and is set to have the highest cap hit on the team if he remains on the Bears’ roster for 2026.
The top decision-makers in Chicago have strong opinions of Moore’s impact that goes beyond the stat sheet, but moving on would save the Bears $16 million in cap space. And there’s one team gearing up for a big-time move that could now be interested in making a deal.
New England Patriots are in need of a new WR1 after releasing Stefon Diggs
The New England Patriots just announced a big decision after releasing wide receiver Stefon Diggs after one season with the team. Diggs was the team’s go-to target during the Super Bowl run totaling 1,013 yards and four touchdowns on 102 targets. According to Jordan Schultz, the Patriots are now prepared to spend big to replace Diggs with the trade market being a viable option to do so.
This news comes hours after CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones connected the Patriots as a potential landing spot for Moore.
“One Bears player plenty around the league are keeping an eye on is wide receiver DJ Moore,” Jones explained. “The former first-round pick is coming off his least productive year of his career. The Patriots could be a landing spot for Moore if the Bears do a deal involving the receiver, or he could be part of a hypothetical package that goes to a needy Las Vegas team in a deal for Crosby.”
The latter is still something the Bears are hoping to pull off but if Chicago strikes out on landing Crosby, the team could turn their attention toward another AFC team to try and move Moore.
New England has plenty of cap space to absorb Moore’s massive contract, which would be a sticking point for other teams interest in the 28-year-old wide receiver. As for the compensation, an early Day 3 selection or late Day 2 selection should be enough to entice Chicago.
The Patriots currently have two fourth-round picks (Nos. 125 and 131) and one third-round pick (No. 95) to consider using to land another top target for quarterback Drake Maye. There’s still a lot of moving parts to sort out over the next few days, but this latest decision with Diggs certainly adds more intrigue around the Bears and Patriots making some kind of deal involving Moore.
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