Winds of change are blowing heavily in the Windy City.
The Chicago Bears, in a not-so-unexpected move, finally dealt wide receiver DJ Moore -- and his massive contract -- to the Buffalo Bills. There, he'll be reunited with his former Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, and Luther Burden III can finally shine in Chicago.
But it just doesn't feel like the Bears are done in the trade market. At least, not if you believe NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who had this to say shortly after Moore and a fifth-round pick were dealt to the Bills for a second-rounder.
"I do not get the sense the #Bears are done on the trade market…."
Well, it's now time to make the move that everyone is talking about: Trading for Las Vegas Raiders superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Bears' next move after DJ Moore trade is a Maxx Crosby blockbuster
This idea flows in perfect harmony with another one of Schultz's reports after the Moore trade went down:
"Sources: Teams in the trade market have gotten the sense that the #Raiders are more open to the idea of trading Maxx Crosby, and it’s a situation that is only going to intensify."
Throughout the offseason, it has been difficult to read the tea leaves in the Las Vegas front office. Both general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak have insisted that they want Crosby to remain a Raider, but it takes two to tango.
If Crosby wants out, and most would infer that he does, then Las Vegas has to oblige. They can't pay a player $35.5 million to be unhappy. Plus, getting some serious draft compensation should be appealing for Spytek and the Raiders, who are clearly rebuilding.
Ryan Poles, by trading Moore, has both cleared up the salary cap space to take on Crosby's contract and given himself more ammunition to beat out others in the Crosby trade market. Poles, without getting too carried away, needs to give Spytek an offer he can't refuse.
Read more: Bears finally make the DJ Moore trade fans expected with Bills
The obvious next tentacle of trading Moore away is trading for Crosby. He would be a foundational piece for the Bears' defense and the exact missing piece that they need to make a serious run at a Lombardi Trophy in 2026 and beyond.