So much of the conversation surrounding the Patriots ahead of the start of free agency this offseason has been about needing to pull off a blockbuster trade for a player who would immediately fill one of the roster's biggest weaknesses: pass rusher and wide receiver.
That has led to a lot of conversations about Maxx Crosby, who is seemingly off the table now after hearing what the Raiders want in return, and a handful of wide receivers. AJ Brown has led the charge in the eyes of most analysts and fans, but the Patriots were just given a welcome by the Bears to inquire about DJ Moore, who might be the right player to consider.
The 28-year-old was once considered one of the best receivers in the league, stringing together three seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards during his time with the Panthers.
Although he's only hit that mark once since he was traded to the Bears, he is still an explosive player who would be a tremendous addition for Drake Maye, especially since he's more than reliable and consistent. Not to mention, he might be going under the radar more so than other tradeable receivers.
DJ Moore is reportedly available for trade, so the Patriots have every reason to make the call
It seems beyond clear at this point that if the Patriots want to make a massive impact on the offense this offseason, then trading for a receiver might be their best option. They won't find what they need at the level they want in free agency, so using some of their draft capital to acquire appears to be the solution.
That's why Moore should be near the top of the list, since he is one of the younger options (besides George Pickens and Brian Thomas Jr.) and might be far cheaper than the others, too. That works in their favor, allowing them to keep their higher draft picks to continue building their roster.
It makes him an even more desirable target, beyond what he can do on the field, which is still impressive. In 2025, he recorded 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games. It was far from his best year, but he fell just shy of 1,000+ receiving yards in 2024, so we know what he's capable of when he's utilized as the WR1.
Making his potential trade even better is the fact that he hasn't missed a game since the 2020 season, so he's not only consistent on the field but also reliable.
That's going to be key in Drake Maye's development, and we've already seen that Moore can thrive with younger quarterbacks and in different offensive systems, as he's gone through many head coaches throughout his career.
He can become the top option for Maye to work with and be the deep field threat that they still need, especially with Stefon Diggs' future in New England hanging in the balance.
At the very least, the Patriots need to seriously consider what value Moore can bring to their offense and give a trade real thought as they head into a pivotal 2026 season.