Kayvon Thibodeaux
Getty
Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants.
The Chicago Bears remain at the center of speculation surrounding the potential trade of Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders, but there are other, less expensive, options out there.
Dan Graziano and Ben Solak of ESPN predicted on Wednesday, February 25 that there is approximately a 70 percent chance that the New York Giants trade Kayvon Thibodeaux in the coming weeks and named the Bears among the top three team fits for the pass-rusher.
“The Giants have a surplus of impact defensive linemen with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and it seems more likely they’ll try to find a trade partner for Thibodeaux than extend the 2022 first-round pick ahead of his fifth-year-option season,” Graziano wrote. “The question is whether the Giants can find a taker for him at that salary in a deep offseason edge rusher market, but the chatter at the combine indicates they’re going to try.”
Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Affords Bears Low-Risk, Short-Term Upgrade at Reasonable Cost
Kayvon Thibodeaux
GettyNew York Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux has one year remaining on his contract, which totals $14.75 million.
In general terms, that is a good deal, especially for a 25-year-old ostensibly entering his prime. However, Thibodeaux has underperformed his draft position (No. 5 overall) after finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and tallying 11.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his second campaign.
He has missed 12 games over the past two seasons and tallied just eight sacks over that span. Thibodeaux’s career trajectory and recent stat line do not render him the most exciting option for a defense in Chicago that produced a total of 35 sacks last season and was in the bottom five in the league in both pass rush win rate and quick pressure totals (under 2.5 seconds).
That said, Thibodeaux would add young talent with upside to a group of edge-rushers that is thin, to be generous, behind defensive ends Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. And Thibodeaux would do so at a reasonable price point with an easy out for Chicago next offseason if his production doesn’t increase.
Raiders Hold Position That Team Intends to Keep Maxx Crosby on Roster Next Season
Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders could be a Patriots trade target.
GettyPass-rusher Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Crosby is perhaps the best potentially available pass-rusher this offseason by any pathway: trade, free agency or the draft. However, the Raiders continue to take the line that they intend to keep the five-time Pro Bowler on the roster in 2026 and beyond.
“Maxx is an elite player,” Las Vegas general manager John Spytek said while speaking with reporters at the combine this week. “I’ve been very upfront from the start since I got here that we’re in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them.”
However, Spytek stopped short of defining Crosby as untradable. Most trade pitches involving the Bears and Crosby involve at least Chicago’s first-round pick (No. 25 overall) and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Crosby is under contract through 2029 after inking a three-year extension worth $106.5 million in March 2025.