The Chicago Bears ultimately didn't make a move for Maxx Crosby, and that entire saga took a major turn after the Baltimore Ravens had backed out of acquiring the stud pass-rusher. The initial deal did end up being for two first-round picks.
And while we may never know the truth, it seems like the Ravens suddenly didn't want to pull the trigger on the deal, which led to Crosby remaining with the Las Vegas Raiders. During this entire situation, some Bears fans surely wanted the front office to make the deal, but it might benefit the team in the long-term that General Manager Ryan Poles didn't actually do it.
However, with the team in a win-now window with a stud quarterback on his rookie deal, there really is no better time to pull off a major move than now. A recent report further indicated that the Bears got some cold feet and just did not feel comfortable getting aggressive for Crosby.
Chicago Bears reported interest in Maxx Crosby wasn't aggressive enough
There's a lot to unpack in this blurb:
"The Athletic's Dan Wiederer spoke to a league source who revealed that despite the "speculation swirling that [the Bears], too, had offered Las Vegas a pair of first-round picks, that wasn't the case...
In Chicago's case, Wiederer reported that "serious discussions were needed about Crosby's age (28); the weight of his contract (salary-cap hits north of $35 million and $38 million over the next two seasons, respectively); and his health status." In the end, the Bears "retreated when it became clear the auction was heading well beyond their comfort zone."
Instead, Chicago's offseason was headlined by the additions of safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush. The defending NFC North champs are hoping to make a deeper playoff run during the upcoming season, even after not landing Crosby in a trade.
"We're always looking to add dynamic players," Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. "Offense, defense, special teams. It really doesn't matter. But what you have to look at is the long-term vision. What's your philosophy this year versus five years down the road? We had all those conversations."
Essentially, Chicago didn't think the asking price was worth it for the player they were getting. Yes, Crosby is elite at what he does, but he's also played in at least 80 percent of the Raiders defensive snaps since being drafted, never playing fewer than 72 percent in a season
He's played no less tham 94 percent of snaps on defense since the start of 2022, but he has also missed seven games the past two seasons, after not missing a game his first five years. It does seem like Crosby might be on a bit of a decline.
Sure, he's not yet 29 years old, but he also plays with a motor that few other players in the league have, and he simply does not come off the field much. Had the Bears made the deal, though, they would have acquired someone who averages 11 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 25 quarterback hits across a 17-game season.
Not only that, but Crosby is also quite strong against the run. As of now, Chicago's starting defensive line would look like Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., and Dayo Odeyingbo, hardly a difference-making unit.
While it's nice that the Bears didn't trade two first-round picks for Crosby, Chicago still has a gaping hole along the defensive line, and it's something that simply cannot be the case in 2026. Where the Bears find themselves in at the moment is a spot that many teams envy.
With Caleb Williams clearly being a franchise quarterback and right in the middle of his cost-controlled rookie deal, the time to shoot for the moon is now. The Denver Broncos took this to heart and traded a first and third-round pick for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and it feels like the New England Patriots will eventually land A.J. Brown in a deal.
Read more: Bears spent time with draft prospect who's ready to put LT position on notice
The Bears may have had one shot to make a move like this, and it didn't happen. With this being the reality, fans better hope that the front office can bring in some promising players along the defensive line during the NFL Draft.
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