DJ Moore’s current contract length is four years, signed with the Chicago Bears in 2024. The deal runs through the 2028 NFL season, with no guaranteed money beyond the first two years.
Contract Overview
DJ Moore signed a four-year, $110 million contract extension with the Chicago Bears on July 30, 2024. The deal includes $82.6 million in guaranteed money, with a $42.6 million signing bonus. This extension came after Moore was traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Bears in March 2023 as part of the package for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The contract structure is front-loaded, with a $30 million roster bonus due in 2025. Moore’s base salaries and cap hits escalate over the life of the deal. Here is the year-by-year breakdown:
- 2025: Base salary $1.21 million, roster bonus $30 million, cap hit $22.8 million
- 2026: Base salary $15.5 million, cap hit $28.9 million
- 2027: Base salary $15.5 million, cap hit $28.9 million
- 2028: Base salary $15.5 million, cap hit $28.9 million
Trade to Chicago
Moore was traded to the Bears on March 10, 2023, along with a 2023 first-round pick (No. 9 overall), a 2023 second-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick. In exchange, the Panthers received the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, which they used to select quarterback Bryce Young. This trade was widely seen as a rebuilding move for Carolina and a win-now move for Chicago, giving rookie quarterback Justin Fields a true No. 1 receiver.
Moore had spent his first five NFL seasons with the Panthers after being selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Maryland. In Carolina, he recorded 4,318 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, never missing a game due to injury.
Performance and Value
Moore’s first season in Chicago was a career year. He set personal bests with 96 receptions, 1,364 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns, while playing all 17 games. His production made him the clear top target for Fields, and later for rookie Caleb Williams after the Bears drafted him No. 1 overall in 2024.
In 2024, Moore’s numbers dipped slightly to 98 receptions for 966 yards and 6 touchdowns, but he remained the team’s most reliable pass-catcher. His contract extension was signed just before the start of training camp, locking him in as the centerpiece of Chicago’s offense through the 2028 season.
Contract Structure and Guarantees
The $82.6 million guaranteed figure includes his 2024 and 2025 salaries, the signing bonus, and a portion of his 2026 salary that becomes guaranteed on the third day of the 2026 league year. The remaining base salaries in 2027 and 2028 are not guaranteed, which gives the Bears flexibility to release him or restructure the deal if his performance declines or if they need cap space.
Moore’s $28.9 million average annual value ranks him among the top ten highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, though the market has shifted since he signed. The deal also includes performance incentives that can increase his earnings based on receptions, yards, and Pro Bowl selections.
Comparisons to Other Wide Receiver Contracts
At the time of signing, Moore’s $110 million total and $28.9 million average were comparable to deals signed by other top receivers. For context, Tyreek Hill’s extension with the Dolphins in 2022 was four years, $120 million with $72.2 million guaranteed. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Vikings in 2024, setting a new benchmark for the position.
Moore’s contract is less lucrative than Jefferson’s but more than what receivers like Deebo Samuel (three years, $71.55 million) or A.J. Brown (three years, $84 million) received in their extensions. The Bears structured Moore’s deal to provide cap flexibility in the later years, which is common for contracts signed by veteran players.
Common Questions About the Contract
Frequently Asked Questions
When does DJ Moore’s contract expire?
Moore’s contract runs through the 2028 NFL season. He becomes a free agent in March 2029, unless the Bears release him earlier or restructure the deal.
How much guaranteed money did DJ Moore receive?
Moore received $82.6 million in guaranteed money, which includes his signing bonus and salaries for the first two years, plus a portion of his 2026 salary that becomes guaranteed later.
What is DJ Moore’s cap hit in 2025?
Moore’s cap hit for 2025 is $22.8 million, which includes his base salary, roster bonus, and a prorated portion of his signing bonus. This is the lowest cap hit of his contract due to the large roster bonus being paid in cash but spread over the remaining years.
Can the Bears cut DJ Moore before the contract ends?
Yes, the Bears can release Moore after the 2025 season with a dead cap charge of about $28.9 million, but after 2026 the dead cap drops significantly. The lack of guaranteed money in the final two years gives the team leverage to move on if needed.
How does Moore’s contract compare to Justin Jefferson’s?
Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with the Vikings has a higher average annual value ($35 million) and more guaranteed money ($110 million). Moore’s deal is $30 million less in total value and has $27.4 million less in guarantees.
Contract Template
Below is a generic template for a player contract extension that mirrors the basic structure of Moore’s deal. This is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Player Name | ______________________ |
| Team | ______________________ |
| Contract Length | ______ years |
| Total Value | $____________ |
| Guaranteed Amount | $____________ |
| Signing Bonus | $____________ |
| Roster Bonus (Year 2) | $____________ |
| Base Salary (Year 1) | $____________ |
| Base Salary (Year 2) | $____________ |
| Base Salary (Year 3) | $____________ |
| Base Salary (Year 4) | $____________ |
| Cap Hit (Year 1) | $____________ |
| Cap Hit (Year 2) | $____________ |
| Cap Hit (Year 3) | $____________ |
| Cap Hit (Year 4) | $____________ |
Sample (fictional): Player: John Smith, Team: Chicago Bears, Length: 4 years, Total: $100M, Guaranteed: $75M, Signing Bonus: $40M, Roster Bonus (Year 2): $25M, Base Salaries: $1M, $14M, $14M, $14M, Cap Hits: $20M, $26M, $26M, $26M.
Financial and Salary Cap Context
Moore’s contract is structured to give the Bears flexibility in the short term while committing to him long-term. The $30 million roster bonus in 2025 is paid in cash but prorated over the remaining four years for cap purposes, which lowers his cap hit in that year. This is a common technique used by teams to manage cap space.
The Bears’ cap situation is important because they have other young players needing extensions, such as quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. By front-loading Moore’s deal, the team can absorb the cap hit now while Williams is on his rookie contract, then have more space in later years when Williams’ extension kicks in.
If Moore’s performance declines or the team wants to move on, they can release him after 2026 with a dead cap charge of about $14.5 million, which is manageable. This structure protects the team from being locked into a high salary for an underperforming player.
Final Thoughts
DJ Moore’s four-year, $110 million contract extension with the Bears is a significant commitment that reflects his status as a top-tier receiver. The deal runs through 2028, with the team holding flexibility in the final two years. For a player who has been consistently productive since entering the league, this contract aligns with his market value and provides security for both sides.