BUFFALO, NY — Josh Allen finally has his WR1. The Buffalo Bills fixed their biggest offensive flaw Thursday, acquiring star receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears for a 2026 second-round and fifth-round draft pick. The move gives Buffalo a genuine explosive threat after their passing attack limped through the back half of last season.
Buffalo Bills Salvage Offense with DJ Moore
The frigid winds off Lake Erie won’t feel quite as biting for Bills Mafia today. The front office knew they had a massive hole to fill. Last year, Khalil Shakir led the team with a modest 719 receiving yards. Allen spent the season forcing tight throws into heavy coverage, carrying the offense on his back like a marathon runner out of water. They needed a difference-maker. They got a 28-year-old playmaker who brings four career 1,100-yard seasons to Highmark Stadium.
Moore’s arrival reunites him with Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The two spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons together in Carolina. During that stretch, Moore averaged over 1,150 yards per year. Brady’s offensive scheme relies heavily on route-running precision and yards-after-catch capability. Moore excels at both. By placing Moore on the boundary, defensive coordinators will be forced to rotate safeties out of the box, opening up the middle of the field for Buffalo’s tight ends and running game. The Bears, meanwhile, clear $16.5 million in cap space while handing the keys to young receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.
Patriots Dump Stefon Diggs
While Buffalo adds firepower, New England is tearing things down. The Patriots informed Stefon Diggs they will release him before the start of the new league year on March 11. Diggs led the team with 1,013 yards last season, but a looming $26.5 million cap hit forced New England’s hand. By releasing the 32-year-old veteran, the Patriots free up $16.8 million in cap space.
In Foxborough, the atmosphere turned cold quickly. Diggs hits the open market carrying heavy baggage. He faces felony strangulation charges stemming from a recent off-field incident. His next court date is scheduled for early April. The Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens remain potential landing spots, but front offices will have to weigh his elite route-running against serious legal uncertainty.
“I’m trying to stay fit. I mean, it’s harder when you get older, so you can’t take the same amount of time off as you used to. Now 42, just to stay in shape, you got to always be dialed in on the diet and sleep and workouts if you want to look the right way.”
— Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers Keeps Pittsburgh Waiting
Aaron Rodgers broke his two-month silence Wednesday. The 42-year-old quarterback told Pat McAfee he still hasn’t decided if he will play in 2026. Rodgers sounded relaxed during his interview, projecting the calm aura of a veteran who knows he holds all the leverage. The Steelers have not issued a hard deadline. Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan is letting Rodgers dictate his own timeline, even with free agency just days away. Rodgers expressed strong support for Mike McCarthy, confirming the two maintain a close relationship.
The uncertainty in Pittsburgh mirrors the frustration inside the locker room. The latest leaked NFLPA report cards handed the Steelers a disastrous D- grade for ownership. The Rooneys ranked near the bottom of the league, beating only Michael Bidwill and the Arizona Cardinals, who secured a failing F grade. Conversely, the Broncos, Vikings, and Commanders earned perfect A+ marks from their players.
What’s Next: The Free Agency Frenzy
The legal tampering period opens Monday, March 9, at noon ET. Official contracts can be signed when the 2026 league year kicks off Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. ET. With Diggs entering the receiver pool and Rodgers freezing the quarterback market, expect a frantic rush as general managers scramble to secure top talent. Buffalo set the tone. The rest of the league is officially on the clock.
