Maxx Crosby
Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 28: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears missed out on landing star pass rusher Maxx Crosby after news broke that the Las Vegas Raiders have traded him to the Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders will receive Baltimore’s 2026 and 2027 first-round picks. The trade cannot be processed until next week, but the deal is in place.
Now, the Bears will have to explore other avenues to upgrade on the defensive line.
Bears Miss Out on Maxx Crosby
Chicago was one of the teams that was constantly connected to Crosby during the trade saga, especially after they received a second-round pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for DJ Moore.
However, Friday morning, NFL insider Dianna Russini did not mention the Bears in her latest update on the Crosby situation.
“Maxx Crosby is drawing serious interest around the league. The Dallas Cowboys are closely monitoring the situation and remain very interested, while the Baltimore Ravens are also a team to watch. GMs believe the Las Vegas Raiders are willing to work on a deal.”
Now it’s time for the Bears to get creative, trying to figure out how to find upgrades on defense now that Crosby isn’t an option.
Ryan Poles’ Philosophy Attacking Areas of Need
With the Bears tight on money, general manager Ryan Poles acknowledges that he has to make some tough decisions.
“This is a unique situation where we’ve gotten our roster in a position where we have a lot of talented players, a lot of guys getting paid well, and that puts some constraints on the cap,” Poles said Tuesday at the Indianapolis Convention Center. “So we got to make some tough decisions. … When we win games, you create these relationships. There’s leadership guys or guys that were captains that mean a lot to our organization. But when you’re kind of put in a corner, that’s what league’s been and has been.”
If anything, take the Ravens trading for Crosby as a blessing in disguise for Chicago.
The Bears don’t have to leverage their future for an aging pass rusher, and still have flexibility, both through draft capital and money to invest in positions of need.
Chicago already made one cost-effective move, trading for New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury. Now, without Crosby in the back of their minds, let’s see how the rest of the offseason plays out.