Tremaine Edmunds
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: General Manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The heat surrounding the Chicago Bears adding Maxx Crosby via a trade dropped to somewhere between lukewarm and tepid on Thursday, after the team traded wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and has apparently turned its attention toward the offensive line.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on March 5 that not only is Chicago no longer the favorite to acquire Crosby, the team is also not involved in any way with the free agency of Trey Hendrickson with less than one week remaining until the start of the new league year.
“Adam Schefter was just on @WaddleandSilvy. Didn’t seem convinced Maxx Crosby gets dealt, but did say he doesn’t see the #Bears in the driver’s seat for a deal right now,” Aaron Leming of 247 Sports wrote. “Thinks they’ll go cheaper than Linderbaum at C (Biadasz/Cushenberry). No ties to Hendrickson.”
None of that is going to be exciting news for Chicago fans after a run to the team’s first NFC North Division title since 2018 and first playoff victory since 2010. Crosby is a five-time consecutive Pro Bowler, while Hendrickson put up 17.5 sacks in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024 and is ESPN’s No. 1-ranked free agent across all positions this offseason.
Bears Unlikely to Spend Huge on Tyler Linderbaum, per Adam Schefter Report
Tyler Linderbaum, New York Giants
GettyCenter Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens.
Leming was referring to center Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens, who ESPN’s Courtney Cronin wrote on Thursday could reset the market at the position this offseason with an historic deal.
Bears center Drew Dalman retired abruptly this week at the age of 27 with two years remaining on his $42 million contract, which he inked just last offseason.
Moving Dalman and Moore off the books creates ample salary cap space for a Bears team that was in the red ahead of free agency, and it’s possible Chicago could still clear $15 million if linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is released.
That type of financial flexibility will allow the Bears to go after the top names on the free agent center market, like Tyler Linderbaum, who league sources believe will be the highest-paid interior offensive lineman with a deal north of $22 million per year. The Bears place high importance on the center position. That’s why they paid a premium to get Dalman last offseason.
Bears Have Less Expensive Options in Free Agency, NFL Draft to Fill Needs on Both Sides of Football
Khalil Mack, Chargers
GettyLos Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack.
However, based on Schefter’s information, Chicago is highly likely to be more judicious with its spending at both center and edge-rusher.
Other good options exist at lower price points, particularly off the edge. Odafe Oweh could actually earn more money than Hendrickson given his age (27). Chicago may also look at a reunion with 35-year-old Khalil Mack, who played alongside Oweh with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
The New Orleans Saints will also allow Cameron Jordan to hit free agency on March 11 after a 10.5-sack season during his age-36 campaign last year.
If Austin Booker continues to ascend in Year 3 after a season of 29 QB pressures, 16 hurries, eight hits and five sacks across 323 pass-rush snaps in 2025, then a situational edge-rush specialist like Jordan, who played 54 percent of the snaps on defense in New Orleans last year, could prove a viable short-term bridge to a younger, more expensive player next offseason.
The Bears now hold four selections across the first two days of next month’s draft, including three in between pick Nos. 25-60. Chicago could potentially add two starters, if not three, across its four positions of greatest need in 2026: left tackle, center, defensive tackle and edge-rusher.