At the top of the to-do list for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 offseason will be to address their lack of a dominant pass rush.
The Bears’ Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers is a great example of why they need to add some help on the edge. Chicago scored 38 points, but still lost, 42-38, largely because the defensive line couldn’t consistently harass Niners quarterback Brock Purdy, who finished with five total touchdowns.
One incredible option could be emerging for the Bears when the offseason hits. Recent tension between two-time Pro Bowl edge Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders has sent trade rumors into hyperdrive.
After being shut down by the team despite wanting to play through injury, Crosby has made it clear he’s more than a tad annoyed with his current team.
“I’ve been on the phone with Maxx a bunch over the last couple days,” FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer said on the December 29th pregame show. “He is not happy.”
Chicago Bears Among Favorites to Trade for Raiders DE Maxx Crosby, According to BetOnline
GettyThe Chicago Bears are among the betting favorites to trade for Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
According to BetOnline, the Bears are among the top five teams with the best odds to trade for Crosby. The Dallas Cowboys (+300), Philadelphia Eagles (+400), New England Patriots (+500), Los Angeles Rams (+600) and Bears (+700) round out the five.
“My sense is this will likely lead Crosby to consider all of his options,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote on December 29, adding:
“He’ll be 29 by the start of next season and has a lot of mileage on his body after finishing each of the past three seasons hurt. His contract is tradeable, and the Raiders still look like they’re a couple of good offseasons away from contending.”
The Bears are set to have under $2 million in available cap space next year. If they were to make a move for Crosby, they’d have to free up some more space with cuts, restructures or both. That’s not to say it’s not doable, because it absolutely is.
Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension through 2029. He’s set to make $36 million next season and $30 million in 2027. He has an out in his contract after that in 2028, which means that any team trading for him wouldn’t be tied to him for any longer than that if for some reason it didn’t work out.
Crosby Is the Game-Changer Chicago Has Been Missing on Defense
Even in a season interrupted by a knee issue and an eventual stint on injured reserve, Crosby still finished with 10.0 sacks. He had one of his better games this season against the Bears, finishing with three batted balls, a QB hit and an interception off Caleb Williams, who called Crosby the “best player” he has played against.
Since entering the league in 2019, Crosby has been one of the NFL’s most productive and fearsome edge rushers, compiling just under 70 career sacks. There’s no doubt adding a player like Crosby would elevate Chicago’s defensive front. Montez Sweat has been solid this season, but he can’t do it all byu himself, and even at his best, he’s nowhere near as good as Crosby.
If the Bears feel like they can win it all in 2026 — and based on their performance so far in 2025, they should — trading for Crosby is a move that could change the entire NFC.
Other teams are bound to be interested, so it’ll be up to Bears general manager Ryan Poles to see if he can sway Vegas.
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