The Chicago Bears aren’t waiting around for wide receiver DJ Moore to reach free agency, as they’ve given their star player a four-year, $110 million contract extension, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that the contract includes $82.6 million guaranteed and his average annual salary of $27.5 million is seventh among NFL wide receivers.
Moore’s contract was the most lucrative in Bears history.
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DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears during the Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall on June 5, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Moore, who is scheduled to play for the Bears through the 2029 season, played for the Carolina Panthers on a three-year, $61.9 million contract before being traded two years ago.
Signing Moore was not an immediate priority for general manager Ryan Pohls, as he will become a free agent in 2025.
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But considering the contracts being paid to wide receivers across the league – there are five players making more than $30 million per season and Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb is also waiting in the wings – signing Moore now could save the team some money and keep a key player on offense happy.
Moore had an impressive 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Bears in 2023, career highs for Moore, who already had three 1,100-yard seasons with Carolina.
With Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, set to play center beyond this season, the Bears clearly expect Moore to be his favorite target for years to come.
DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears practices during the Chicago Bears’ mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall on June 5, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Moore offers speed, crisp routes and reliable handles, especially in jump-ball situations. Former Bears quarterback Justin Fields trusted Moore to make plays downfield last season, and Moore exceeded expectations.
It will be interesting to see what Coach Paules does with veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason.
Allen has been the team’s most reliable player on the field, recording 100-plus catches in four of the past five seasons with L.A. But durability has been an issue for Allen, who has missed 11 games over the past two seasons due to injury.
Allen appeared in 13 games for the struggling Chargers last season, and performed well with quarterback Justin Herbert, completing 108 of 150 passes for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns.
DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears catches a pass during the first quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on Dec. 31, 2023 in Chicago. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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If Allen has another strong season, will the Pauls be aggressive in acquiring him and keeping what many NFL experts project to be a lethal receiving duo in Chicago?
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