NFL Offseason Heats Up: Bears Trade DJ Moore to Bills, Aaron Rodgers Still Playing Games & 5 Trades That Need to Happen

With free agency opening March 11 and the legal tampering window starting Monday, the 2026 NFL offseason officially caught fire on Thursday. Chicago made their first big move. Aaron Rodgers finally spoke. And the trade rumour mill is spinning faster than it has all year. Here's everything you need to know. Bears Trade DJ Moore to Bills: The Breakdown The Chicago Bears have agreed to trade wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills — sending Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. The deal cannot officially be processed until the new league year begins on March 11, but both sides are pushing to make it happen and all parties are in agreement. For the Bills, it is a clear win-now swing — putting a proven number one receiver alongside Josh Allen ahead of what the organisation views as a championship window. Moore reunites with head coach Joe Brady, his offensive coordinator in Carolina, under whom he produced two of the best seasons of his career — including a career-high 18.1 yards per catch in 2020. Buffalo had been in discussions with Philadelphia about AJ Brown before pivoting to Moore. The Bills' receiver room now has a genuine top target for the first time in years. For the Bears, the move makes equal sense. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, Chicago's offence spread the ball around significantly more in 2025 — and Moore, despite playing all 17 games, finished with career lows in both catches and receiving yards. At $28.5 million against the 2026 cap, he was expensive for a third option. The Bears recoup a second-round pick and gain the flexibility to address their genuine needs — a pass rush that ranked among the league's worst in 2025 and the centre position vacated by Drew Dalman's shocking retirement. Moore leaves on good terms and remains a legend in Chicago for his overtime game-winner against Green Bay in Week 16. Going forward, Caleb Williams will build his chemistry with tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and Rome Odunze. Aaron Rodgers Finally Speaks — And Says Nothing Aaron Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday for the first time since the Steelers' playoff exit in January — and opened with the most on-brand statement imaginable: "Anybody on here who's expecting me to make some big decision, just turn it off now. Just leave." He then proceeded to confirm he is still a free agent, has spoken with head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan, has not received a contract offer, has not been given a deadline, went on a ski trip with his wife, and is enjoying the offseason. He also confirmed that Pittsburgh is likely his preferred destination if he does play — but noted it takes two to tango. The key data point buried inside the Rodgers interview was this: multiple insiders have noted that Rodgers has said repeatedly on McAfee's show that when he's done playing, you'll never hear from him again. The fact that he keeps showing up suggests he's not done. At 42 years old, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions in 2025, leading Pittsburgh to the AFC North title. He still has football left in him. Whether he chooses to play it is a different question entirely. 5 NFL Trades That Need to Happen Before March 11 The Moore deal is just the start. Here are five moves the league needs to make before free agency officially opens. AJ Brown to the Bills or another contender. Philadelphia's price is steep — comparable to the Quinnen Williams deal — but Brown is a four-time 1,000-yard receiver in the prime of his career. Someone will blink. Stefon Diggs, released by New England, goes to a team with a capable young quarterback who needs a proven veteran target. Cleveland and Shedeur Sanders would make sense. Trey Hendrickson, off the franchise tag by Cincinnati, needs a new home — and the Cowboys, Giants, or Jets all have the cap space and the desperate need for pass rush. Davante Adams, wherever he lands, finalises the quarterback market — because Adams won't sign without knowing he's playing with someone he trusts. His destination may tell us more about Aaron Rodgers' plans than Rodgers himself will. Kyler Murray's free agency decision shapes everything below him. If Murray goes to Minnesota, Mac Jones has a market. If he doesn't, the Vikings' situation stays messy all offseason. Free agency opens in six days. The NFL offseason is officially, chaotically, beautifully underway. For all the latest NFL coverage, follow digital8hub.com.