Joey Bosa
Getty
Joey Bosa could tie a franchise record in the Bills Week 6 contest against the Falcons
The Chicago Bears were part of the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes and are getting similar attention now that Myles Garrett’s availability is a topic of widespread speculation in the NFL, but a more modest approach to improving the franchise’s beleaguered pass rush also exists.
Crosby ultimately cost two first-round picks, which might be the asking price again after the Las Vegas Raiders‘ deal with Baltimore Ravens fell through. Garrett will likely cost even more than two firsts after winning Defensive Player of the Year for the second time across his nine-year career in 2025. Both Crosby and Garrett also make between $35-$40 million annually and are under contract through 2029 and 2030, respectively.
Meanwhile, five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa, most recently of the Buffalo Bills, is a free agent with a market value of $27.5 million on a new two-year contract. He finished last season with five sacks and a league-leading five forced fumbles, along with 47 total pressures and 30 quarterback hurries across 15 games played (563 total snaps, 336 pass-rush snaps).
Chicago needs an edge-rusher to improve its absymal pass rush win rate and quick pressure total, both of which were bottom five in the league last season. The Bears’ defense tallied just 35 sacks as a unit in 2025.
Joey Bosa Most Accomplished Edge-Rusher Remaining in Free Agency
Joey Bosa
GettyPass-rusher Joey Bosa, formerly of the Buffalo Bills.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report on Thursday, March 26 dubbed Bosa the “best available” edge-rusher remaining after the first two waves of free agency.
Bosa is no longer the player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, topped 10 sacks four times and made it to five Pro Bowls while a member of the Los Angeles Chargers. His last 10-sack season came in 2021. Injuries have taken their toll, and Bosa will turn 31 before the 2026 season starts.
But while Bosa may no longer be a game-wrecking every-down force defensively, he showed some pop as a rotational pass-rusher with the Buffalo Bills in 2025.
Myles Garrett Trade Would Cost Bears King’s Ransom of Draft Assets
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
GettyCleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.
Bosa’s projection of more than $13.5 million annually over a new two-year deal is considerable based on his minimal sack production in 2025 and history of injury risk over the three seasons prior, in which he missed three, eight and 12 contests, respectively.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated on Thursday dubbed the Bears among a handful of suitable trade candidates for Garrett after he and the Browns changed the language in his contract, making it easier for Cleveland to trade him this year and in the future.
“The Bears were on the periphery of the Crosby trade and profile as a team that would like to maximize its time with [quarterback] Caleb Williams while Williams is on his rookie contract,” Orr wrote. “The best opportunity to win a Super Bowl is now.”
“The Bears had one of the lowest pass rush win rates in the NFL last season, and Garrett is a prototype for succeeding in elements like Soldier Field’s over the longterm,” Orr continued. “Garrett would also be a valuable asset to Williams, having entered the NFL similarly dinged for a slew of outside interests seemingly incongruent with football success.”
The problem with adding a player like Garrett, beyond his massive salary, is what Chicago would have to give up to acquire him. If Cleveland does put Garrett on the block, his trade value is as high as it has perhaps ever been, and the Bears would likely have to send the Browns pick Nos. 25 and 57 in this year’s draft, plus another first-round asset in 2027.