DJ Moore’s contract with the Chicago Bears carries a total value of $110 million over four years, with $52.6 million guaranteed. As of the 2025 season, his annual average salary of $27.5 million ranks among the top 10 highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, and his cap hit for 2025 is $23.7 million.
Contract Background and Signing
Moore signed his current four-year extension on July 25, 2023, shortly after being traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Bears as part of the package for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The extension replaced the final year of his rookie contract and a fifth-year option, locking him in through the 2025 season. The deal was structured to give Moore immediate financial security while providing the Bears flexibility in future years.
Contract Structure and Guarantees
The $110 million total includes a $18.5 million signing bonus and $52.6 million in total guarantees. The guarantees break down as follows:
- $41.5 million fully guaranteed at signing (including the signing bonus and 2023-2024 base salaries)
- $11.1 million guaranteed for injury at signing, which became fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2024 league year
- An additional $5 million in per-game roster bonuses that count toward the total guarantees
Moore’s base salaries escalate significantly over the life of the deal: $1.1 million in 2023, $9.4 million in 2024, $14.5 million in 2025, and $19.5 million in 2026. The final year also includes a $1 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year.
Cap Hits and Dead Money
Moore’s salary cap numbers are a key reason the Bears structured the deal with a large signing bonus. The prorated bonus portion ($4.625 million per year) spreads the cap impact over four years. Here are the annual cap hits:
- 2023: $7.7 million
- 2024: $20.7 million
- 2025: $23.7 million
- 2026: $26.5 million
If the Bears were to release or trade Moore before June 1, 2025, they would absorb a dead money charge of $16.0 million, with $11.4 million in 2025 and $4.6 million in 2026. A post-June 1 designation would spread that dead money across both years, saving $12.3 million in 2025 cap space.
How His Contract Compares to Other Receivers
Moore’s $27.5 million average salary places him just behind elite receivers like Tyreek Hill ($30 million), Davante Adams ($28 million), and Cooper Kupp ($26.7 million). However, his guaranteed money ($52.6 million) is lower than several peers, reflecting a deal negotiated before the 2024 receiver market explosion. For context, Justin Jefferson’s 2024 extension averages $35 million with $110 million guaranteed, and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s deal averages $30 million with $46.5 million guaranteed.
Moore’s contract is often cited as a “team-friendly” deal because the Bears can exit after 2025 with minimal dead money relative to his production. His 2025 cap hit ranks 12th among receivers, but his production (1,300+ receiving yards in 2023 and 2024) places him in the top 10 in yards per game.
Contract Template for a Player Extension
Blank Template:
| Term | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Years | ______ |
| Total Value | $______ |
| Signing Bonus | $______ |
| Guaranteed at Signing | $______ |
| Total Guarantees | $______ |
| Average per Year | $______ |
| Cap Hit Year 1 | $______ |
| Dead Money if Cut Year 2 | $______ |
Sample (fictional): 3 years, $36 million, $10 million signing bonus, $18 million guaranteed, $12 million average, $6 million cap hit Year 1, $8 million dead money if cut Year 2.
Common Misconceptions About the Contract
One frequent error is assuming Moore’s $110 million is fully guaranteed. It is not—only $52.6 million is guaranteed, and that amount includes per-game roster bonuses that he must be active to earn. Another misconception is that the Bears overpaid; in reality, Moore’s deal was signed before the 2024 receiver market spike, making it a bargain relative to later contracts. Some fans also confuse his contract with the one given to Bears teammate D.J. Moore (no relation) or with the Panthers’ original rookie deal, which was voided by the trade.
Future Outlook and Potential Restructure
The Bears have several options to manage Moore’s cap hit in 2026. They could convert his $19.5 million base salary into a signing bonus, which would lower his 2026 cap hit by roughly $9.75 million but add dead money in 2027. They could also extend him again, spreading the remaining guarantees over additional years. However, with the 2026 cap expected to exceed $300 million, Moore’s $26.5 million hit would represent only about 8.8% of the cap—a reasonable figure for a top receiver. If Moore’s production declines or he suffers a major injury, the Bears could cut him after 2025 with a $4.6 million dead money charge in 2026, saving $21.9 million in cap space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is DJ Moore’s contract worth?
Moore’s contract is worth $110 million over four years, with $52.6 million guaranteed. That averages $27.5 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league at the time of signing.
When does DJ Moore’s contract expire?
Moore’s contract runs through the 2026 season. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in March 2027, unless the Bears extend him before then.
What is DJ Moore’s cap hit in 2025?
Moore’s cap hit for the 2025 season is $23.7 million. This includes his $14.5 million base salary, $4.625 million in prorated signing bonus, and $4.5 million in per-game roster bonuses.
Can the Bears cut DJ Moore without penalty?
No. If the Bears cut Moore before June 1, 2025, they would face $16.0 million in dead money. After June 1, they would split that across 2025 ($11.4 million) and 2026 ($4.6 million), saving $12.3 million in 2025 cap space.
How does Moore’s contract compare to Justin Jefferson’s?
Jefferson’s 2024 extension with the Vikings averages $35 million per year with $110 million guaranteed. Moore’s contract is significantly lower in both average and guarantees, reflecting the different timing and market conditions.
What happens if Moore is traded?
A trade would accelerate the remaining signing bonus proration into the current league year, creating a dead money charge. The acquiring team would take on the remaining base salaries and roster bonuses, but the Bears would absorb the $16.0 million dead money if traded in 2025.