The Chicago Bears are sending veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in a trade that reshapes both offenses and creates several ripple effects for fantasy football heading into the 2026 season.
Moore, 28, spent the past three seasons in Chicago after originally arriving in the blockbuster trade that gave the Carolina Panthers the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. During his Bears tenure, Moore totaled 244 receptions for 3,012 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a massive first season where he posted 96 catches for 1,364 yards.
However, the emergence of younger pass catchers in Chicago, including Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, made Moore expendable, especially with a $28.5 million cap hit looming in 2026.
For Buffalo, the move represents another attempt to provide Josh Allen with a true No. 1 receiver following the departure of Stefon Diggs. Moore brings proven production and the ability to win both deep and after the catch, giving the Bills a dynamic weapon in the passing game.
Fantasy Football Impact
Buffalo Bills Players
DJ Moore immediately steps into Buffalo as the most proven wide receiver on the roster, but it is not a guarantee that he returns to fantasy lineups this year. The Bills have shown a willingness to spread targets across multiple pass catchers under Joe Brady, with a lot of those targets going to the tight ends and running backs.
Moore is the outside receiver Buffalo has been looking for. His ability to separate and create yards after the catch makes him a natural target for Josh Allen and will get plenty of downfield looks for the team in 2026. I expect him to be a WR3 entering the 2026 season.
Josh Allen benefits the most from the addition. Buffalo has lacked a true go-to receiver since moving on from Diggs, and Moore’s presence should lead to a modest increase in passing yardage and touchdown opportunities. Allen was already an elite fantasy quarterback, but this move strengthens his supporting cast and raises his ceiling even further.
Khalil Shakir is the biggest fantasy loser from the move. Shakir had emerged as a high-volume target in Buffalo’s offense, but Moore’s arrival will almost certainly eat into that workload. Shakir still has a role, but his weekly volume becomes much less predictable.
Buffalo’s tight ends also take a slight hit. Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox have both been heavily involved in the passing game in recent seasons, but the presence of a legitimate WR1 could reduce some of the middle-of-the-field targets that previously went to the tight end group.
Chicago Bears Players
In Chicago, the trade opens the door for the Bears’ young playmakers to take on larger roles.
The biggest winner could be Colston Loveland, who now has a clearer path to becoming a centerpiece of the passing attack. With Moore gone, Loveland should see a noticeable increase in target share and could emerge as one of the more intriguing breakout tight ends in fantasy football.
Luther Burden III also stands to benefit significantly. The explosive young receiver already flashed playmaking ability and now has a much clearer path to becoming one of the focal points of the Bears’ offense. With more targets available, Burden has a strong chance to take a major step forward in his second season.
Rome Odunze also gets a boost, though it may be slightly smaller than the others. Odunze was already heavily involved in the offense, but Moore’s departure further solidifies his role as one of the top options in the passing game.
Interestingly, the move doesn’t dramatically change the outlook for Caleb Williams. The young quarterback still has a strong supporting cast featuring Odunze, Burden, and Loveland, meaning his overall fantasy projection remains relatively stable.
Ultimately, the trade shifts the fantasy landscape for both teams. Buffalo gains a true WR1 who should help elevate the passing offense, while Chicago clears the runway for its young receiving talent to take on larger roles moving forward.
