Ryan Poles says DJ Moore sent video to GM’s upset son ‘telling him not to be mad at dad’ for trading WR to Bills

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles called sending wide receiver DJ Moore and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-year selection in this year’s draft as one of “those trade decisions.”

“DJ is one of my favorite players, he will always be one of my favorite players. I knew it was going to be difficult for our organization,” Polonais told reporters Thursday.

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It was also hard for his son, Mason.

“I mentioned this before: My son is an avid Chicago Bears fan. He wasn’t happy with me at all,” Poles said.

“I think it was cool that DJ sent him a video telling him not to be mad at dad [and that] It’s part of the business.”

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It’s easy to see why Mason, and so many others, loved watching Moore in Chicago. He caught 20 total touchdowns in three seasons with the Bears, including game-winning field goals to cap a pair of incredible comebacks against the rival Green Bay Packers last season, the second of which helped give Chicago its first playoff victory since the 2010 season.

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Less than two years ago, the Bears signed Moore to a four-year extension worth $110 million. At the time, Moore was coming off the best season of his career. He passed for a career-high eight touchdowns, and his 1,364 receiving yards were more than he recorded in each of his three 1,000-yard campaigns with the Carolina Panthers.

Poles was asked Thursday about their split with Moore just two seasons later.

“There’s a financial aspect, but you also look at the space,” said the 40-year-old chief executive. “And when you have Rome Odunze and how talented he is, I know he had some injuries last year. Look what Luther did. Again, that’s why you follow the selection committee. I didn’t expect Luther Burden to be where he was, and he showed up and showed great flashes. Every time that guy touches the ball, special things can happen.”

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Poles then said, referring to Colston Loveland: “And then obviously our tight end is a special player as well. That said, you have to look at different plays that are going to help you continue to build your football team, and that’s what we thought was best.”

The Poles noted that there were “a number of teams” interested in Moore. Ultimately, the 2018 first-round pick ended up with the Buffalo Bills.

Moore, who will soon be 29, reunites with current Bills head coach Joe Brady, who was Moore’s OC at one point in Carolina. And he’ll catch passes from 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen.

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“I’m probably a little different when it comes to trading,” Polish said. “There was an opportunity to put DJ in a really cool place for him to succeed. Unfortunately, we have to play him next year.

“But I think for his career, for this team, I think it’s a…” he added before joking: “I told a friend of mine – I’m from West New York – and I said, ‘My immediate family is not very happy with me. My extended family is very happy with me.’ So yes, we wish him good luck.”