Chicago Bears will release D.J. Moore

The Chicago Bears will release cornerback D.J. Moore, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.

Moore, 25, is set to become a free agent March 12, but the team opted to give the fourth-year player notice ahead of time.

Moore was the team's nickleback last season. He played in 13 games, starting just two of those. He recored two interceptions, six pass deflections and 30 total tackles.

SB Nation's Windy City Gridiron says Moore "kind of fell out of favor" with the old coaching staff.

Moore was a fourth-round draft pick out of Vanderbilt in 2009. He has spent his entire four-year career so far with the Bears.

After playing in just three games as a rookie in 2009, Moore became more valuable in a backup role in 2010 and 2011. In each of those seasons he recorded four interceptions while starting just one combined game. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown in each season.

The Bears will likely look to add to their secondary in the draft of free agency. Luckily for the team, it's a good year for the crop of free agent cornerbacks. The Bears could make a play for some of the top cornerbacks available, like Aqib Talib or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or could take a chance on a corner like Brent Grimes, who has a lot of talent but played just one game in 2012.

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