The Bears' Hopes Of Extending DJ Moore Just Got More Complicated

Looking ahead to next off-season, the Chicago Bears don't seem to have any players on the roster with a pressing need for extensions. Teven Jenkins could change that if he avoids injuries this season and plays at his customary level. Keenan Allen is also an interesting conversation since he will be a free agent next March unless the team can work out a deal he'd be happy with. That could prove challenging, as he is turning 32 years old this year. However, multiple local sources indicate neither man is the team's priority. That is DJ Moore.

Though the 26-year-old receiver has two years left on his current deal, he showed last season how dynamic he could be with 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. It makes sense GM Ryan Poles would want to work on keeping him around long-term. The sooner Chicago extends him, the cheaper it should end up being. It is a wise strategy. Unfortunately, it got a little more complicated, thanks to the Houston Texans. They clouded the wide receiver market with the extension of Nico Collins to a three-year, $75 million deal.

The Texans and Nico Collins have agreed on a new three-year, $72.5 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per sources. The deal has a max value of $75 million.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini first reported the news.

Poles is wise to stay proactive on DJ Moore.

He is, without question, a focal point of this offense moving forward. The star receiver is in his prime and precisely the type of weapon Caleb Williams will need to grow. Poles has said his top priority is retaining the team's own players. The last thing they want is to let somebody like Moore go. What better way to show their intent than by extending him long before his current deal even expires? The question is whether the receiver is open to such negotiations or if he might wish to wait and see if he can help reset the market.

Collins' deal is bad enough. However, the one Chicago should be worried about is Justin Jefferson. Most experts agree the Minnesota Vikings superstar will become the highest-paid wide receiver in football not too long from now. That means north of $32 million per season. If the Bears wait too long, DJ Moore will likely command $30+ million himself. This is why the Texans were wise to strike early. Collins may have reached that point with another great year in Houston. The Bears must work with urgency.