The Buffalo Bills have acquired D.J. Moore, the receiver their quarterback so desperately needed. This could work out very well. Nevertheless, the Bills should keep their eyes open for further reinforcements. A commentary.

On Thursday evening German time, the next spectacular trade of the NFL offseason was announced: The Chicago Bears are sending receiver D.J. Moore to Buffalo along with a fifth-round pick. In return, the Bears will receive a second-round pick.

The Bills are thus closing the biggest gap in their roster. Moore is expected to be the new number one receiver and take some of the pressure off superstar quarterback Josh Allen. It could work – but it might not.

Because in a way, the trade is a gamble.

The Bills are betting that Moore can pick up where he left off in Buffalo. Between 2019 and 2021, the now 28-year-old caught passes for more than 1,100 yards in three consecutive seasons with the Carolina Panthers – the statistics of a true superstar.

D.J. Moore: The Brady connection as a formula for success?

The Panthers’ offensive coordinator at the time was Joe Brady, who is now head coach in Buffalo. So there is justified hope that Moore will flourish again in Brady’s system and become the difference-maker the Bills so sorely miss.

However, this is not guaranteed. In Chicago, Moore’s form has been on a clear downward trend recently. Last season in particular was disappointing: although the wide receiver was on the field for all 17 games, he did not manage more than 50 catches and 683 receiving yards. Given these figures, it is entirely understandable that the Bears let him go in order to focus fully on a young group of receivers led by Rome Odunze.

The Bills need to do more for Josh Allen

The Bills, on the other hand, need an undisputed number one, a lifeline for Allen. Year after year, Buffalo dreams of the Super Bowl, but in the playoffs, the superstar QB has mostly lacked the necessary support.

This was also due to the group of receivers, which has been shaky since Stefon Diggs’ departure two years ago. A prime example of this is Keon Coleman, who showed his great potential in his first two NFL years but fell short of expectations overall.

If Coleman now flourishes in Moore’s slipstream, something big could indeed happen in Buffalo. But there are question marks behind that too.

Josh Allen will turn 30 in May, entering the phase that statistically marks the best years in a quarterback’s career.

It’s high time for the Bills to do even more for their franchise player. Those responsible need to go “all in” to optimize the team for a real Super Bowl run. That’s why the signing of D.J. Moore can’t be the end of their efforts.