The Chicago Bears may need to take a big swing as they try to improve a defense that was unable to keep up with their Caleb Williams-led passing attack, and a trade for Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby would certainly check that box.
With the Raiders rebuilding around Klint Kubiak and projected top pick Fernando Mendoza, Crosby is likely sick of the losing and wants to play for a team that is closer to a championship. The Bears might be able to satisfy that desire, provided they manage to talk John Spytek down from an outrageous asking price.
According to Mike Florio, the Raiders are seeking both a young player and two first-round picks to part with Crosby in any trade. The Raiders know they have one of the game's most desirable assets, and they won't let him loose for anything less than a king's ransom.
This is exactly the same offer the Dallas Cowboys received for Micah Parsons. While some believe Green Bay made out like bandits with this deal, Chicago mirroring that trade would essentially be mortgaging the future to acquire a player in Crosby that may not elevate this defense to a championship level.
Bears will need to trade two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby
Crosby would immediately be the best defensive player the Bears have had in years and the best pass rusher since Khalil Mack, but dumping multiple first-round picks to acquire Crosby, along with a player, would take a top-heavy roster and further eat into depth.
While general manager Ryan Poles had some very controversial NFL Draft performances early in his career, selecting players like Colston Loveland, Kyle Monangai, and Luther Burden III suggests that he may have found a groove. He could fix this depth issue without having to go for a big swing like Crosby.
There will be free agent pass rushers and possible trade targets that can give the Bears a star who can raise the ceiling for this unit as a whole, and none of them are going to cost that much. Crosby will be in line for a splendid 2026 season, but due to his age, there may be some concern about his ability to keep dominating in the later years of this deal.
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The Raiders are starting high in negotiating, but the Bears shouldn't engage until Spytek manages to bring his price down just a tad.