Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
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(Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears are among the teams that analysts mention most frequently when discussing potential trades for Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, and some meaningful news came down on that front as the NFL Combine opens this week.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported that the genesis for any trade involving Crosby — meaning the opening salvo to negotiations via the first real conversations about an actual move centered on the five-time Pro Bowler — is likely to begin in the coming days.
“It is a big week for the Raiders and Maxx Crosby, who have been having conversations about his future,” Pelissero said. “If there is a time to discuss a trade, it is this week here in Indianapolis.”
“It is no secret that Crosby has been frustrated by the constant turnover and change in Las Vegas. [He] also was frustrated by the way last season ended, when the Raiders shut him down with two games to go,” Pelissero continued. “We also know the Raiders have made some efforts to have talks with Crosby.”
Pelissero didn’t mention the Bears by name when discussing viable trade partners for Crosby. However, he did describe teams in Chicago’s exact position as the most likely suitors.
“There could be a variety of different conversations with other teams about what a trade would look like. In terms of who that trade could be to, put it this way: there are not many Maxx Crosbys walking the face of the earth,” Pelissero said. “Any team that is a contender with a pass-rush need and cap space, or the ability to create it, I would anticipate would be involved — if the Raiders decide they are willing to trade Crosby.”
Maxx Crosby’s Trade Value Varies Substantially Between Proposals
maxx crosby
GettyLas Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
There are differing opinions on what the Bears might give up in a deal for Crosby, or if the star defensive end actually possesses a level of value to Chicago’s defense that falls anywhere within the projected range of trade packages.
Bill Barnwell suggested on February 16 that the Bears send the Raiders their 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall) and wide receiver DJ Moore in return for Crosby and a fifth-rounder in 2027.
Jeremy Fowler, Barnwell’s colleague at ESPN, authored a proposal four days later in which Chicago flips the No. 25 pick, Moore and a third-round selection in 2027 for Crosby alone.
NFL Analysts, Insiders Can’t Agree on What Bears Are Willing to Pay in Maxx Crosby Trade
Micah Parsons
GettyGreen Bay Packers edge-rusher Micah Parsons.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports said during Super Bowl Week that the Raiders won’t let Crosby go for less than what the Green Bay Packers paid for Micah Parsons, which was two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter made a similar repor subsequently. However, Barnwell cast those projections aside as unrealistic given Crosby’s more advanced age and less accomplished resumé when compared to Parsons.
Courtney Cronin of ESPN last week took it one step further, dismissing Barnwell’s proposal as ultimately proving too steep for Chicago’s taste with regards to trading for an edge-rusher this offseason.
“[Is Crosby to Chicago] something to pay attention to? Yes. Something that seems imminent or likely? I don’t think so, for a number of reasons,” Cronin said. “I don’t know if the Bears view themselves as, ‘We are just one elite pass-rusher away from winning a Super Bowl,’ when the draft class is as loaded with defensive line talent as it is.”