Entering the 2026 NFL offseason, the Chicago Bears were one of the teams most connected to a potential trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
After the Raiders agreed to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks, those dreams appeared to be dead. However, the Ravens decided to back out of the trade. Crosby remains with Las Vegas.
While reporting has suggested that the Raiders and Crosby plan to stick together moving forward, there have been rumblings that the team could still trade him. Could the Bears get involved once again?
That is something ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has taken a look at.
During an appearance on “Get Up,” Fowler revealed that Chicago is still targeting improving its pass rush. The Bears also haven’t given up on the dream of acquiring Crosby.
"The Bears would like to walk away from the next two months with some edge pressure help or some defensive line help, maybe on an interior rusher, possibly on the outside," Fowler said.
"And they haven't given up the dream of a Maxx Crosby opening if they can try to buy low a little bit now that he's back with the Raiders. They kicked the tires on it a couple weeks ago. They ultimately didn't get seriously involved, but he's the type of player they would love."
Last season, Chicago made a run to the playoffs after years of being a bad to mediocre team. With head coach Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams leading the way, the Bears won the NFC North division and entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
There is no question that Chicago will be a legitimate contender entering the 2026 season.
Adding a player like Crosby would take the Bears’ defense to the next level. Whether or not they can get a deal done remains to be seen, but the dream of Chicago trading for Crosby has not been totally abandoned just yet.
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