The Chicago Bears might have one more significant roster move in mind, judging by how they structured star wide receiver DJ Moore’s new contract.
The details of Moore’s four-year, $110 million contract extension, signed on July 30, reveal that the Bears strategically structured the deal to free up substantial cap space for the 2024 season. According to Over the Cap, Moore’s 2024 cap hit was reduced from $16.05 million to just $7.2 million, backloading the contract and freeing up $8.85 million, giving the Bears around $21 million in total cap space.
While some of this cap space will be allocated to in-season expenses, such as the 52nd and 53rd roster spots and the practice squad, having nearly $9 million more available could allow the Bears to add another key player before the season starts.
Could the Bears use this cap space to trade for Matthew Judon? The team now has more flexibility to address roster weaknesses, including the possibility of acquiring more interior offensive line help or bolstering their defensive line, particularly on the edge.
Could the Bears Use Their Cap Space to Trade for Matthew Judon?
Judon, who returned to practice with the New England Patriots on August 1, has expressed a desire for a new contract but is currently set to earn a $6.5 million base salary in 2024. While he missed 13 games in 2023 due to a torn bicep, he had an impressive 43.5 sacks and 107 quarterback hits from 2019 to 2022 and was selected to the Pro Bowl each year.
Adding a player of Judon’s caliber could greatly benefit the Bears, especially opposite star Montez Sweat on the defensive line. However, trading for him would be costly, likely requiring significant draft capital, and the Bears would also need to extend Judon, which could be challenging even with about $39.3 million in cap space projected for 2025.
Bears Could Be Planning Ahead with DJ Moore Contract Structuring
Another option for the Bears is re-signing their 2023 starting defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue, in the coming weeks. The 29-year-old had just four sacks in 13 games for the Bears last season and saw his season cut short by a broken ankle in December. However, Ngakoue showed improvement after the Bears added Montez Sweat, and with 69 career sacks over nine seasons, he brings valuable experience that the Bears could benefit from.
However, the Bears may not have been focused solely on the immediate future when they structured DJ Moore’s contract to free up cap space. Instead, general manager Ryan Poles could be planning ahead for the 2024 NFL trade deadline on November 5.
Poles has made significant moves at the trade deadline in his first two seasons as GM. He traded away linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive end Robert Quinn while acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool in 2022, and then brought in Sweat from the Washington Commanders in 2023 for a second-round pick.
While the Claypool trade was a misstep, Poles successfully locked in Sweat with a four-year, $98 million contract extension. With the Bears’ roster now in better shape, Poles might not feel the same urgency to make a deadline deal, but he does have an extra second-round pick from his 2023 trade with Carolina.
If Poles decides to use that second-round pick to acquire another impact player at the deadline, the additional cap space will likely be necessary.
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