CHICAGO, Ill., — As the new NFL league year gets set to begin next week, the Maxx Crosby talks continue to heat up. And at the center of it are the Chicago Bears.
With a clear need for a pass rusher, it makes sense for the Bears to at least inquire about landing a premier talent like Crosby. However, the price is what is really the big talking point and whether or not the Bears can afford him. With the rumored asking price being around what the Green Bay Packers got for Micah Parsons, it would be a steep price to pay for Ryan Poles.
If the Bears want to land Crosby, they are going to have some competition. The latest report from CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones has another NFC team entering the mix. Jones wrote that the Bears are still a team to watch but what's noteworthy is that he mentions the Dallas Cowboys as a team that is entering the mix.
Multiple sources indicate the Chicago Bearsare a team to watch in potentially dealing for Crosby. The Bears aren't the only team with interest in Crosby -- theDallas Cowboys are lurking, according to sources -- but they could be best positioned to do a deal if one can be done. The new league year begins March 11.
What is unclear is whether Crosby will play in 2026 under his current contract. He signed a three-year, $109.5 million extension last March that made him the highest-paid pass rusher in the league. The Raiders, led by then-first year GM John Spytek, beat the market and paid Crosby at the top of the position quickly. Now, Crosby's $35.5 million average annual value contract is more than $10 million below the top of the market with Parsons.
*If Crosby is willing to play this upcoming season on his current deal, that would sweeten the offers for Las Vegas. If Crosby wanted a raise, that would lessen the compensation sent to the Raiders. At least one high-ranking source tells CBS Sports it is his belief Crosby would play this season under his current contract.*
There was a report that the Cowboys did offer a trade package at the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline but nothing materialized. The Cowboys moved Parsons in the offseason and now have a big need for a pass rush. They are also clearing space after restructuring the contracts of Dak Prescott and Tyler Smith, creating $47 million in cap room. They could also create more with a contract for George Pickens.
It does feel like Chicago will be in this until the end but the issue will be the price. Will the Cowboys pony up? They do have two first-round picks this year, and next year, they still have one pick even after the trade with the Jets.