Maxx Crosby dumps a bucket of cold water on Bears fans after trade rumors got reignited and Chicago has an obvious path forward now
The Chicago Bears are now unlikely to land Maxx Crosby for the second time this offseason.
The Maxx Crosby trade rumors got reignited on Tuesday when the initial trade between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens, involving two first-round picks, was called off after Crosby failed his physical in Baltimore.
It was a shady decision by the Ravens front office, who immediately turned around and signed Trey Hendrickson instead on Wednesday morning. In the meantime, Crosby flew back to Las Vegas and continued rehabbing at the team facilities leaving many to wonder what happens next.
Which is why trade rumors started picking back up and the Chicago Bears found themselves back in the center of the drama. Unfortunately for Bears fans, it seems Crosby has made his decision and one that the Raiders will surely appreciate.
Maxx Crosby says he’s fully ‘back’ with Las Vegas Raiders after failed trade attempts
When Crosby reverted back to the Raiders, Dianna Russini reported that the team would not lower the asking price of two first-round picks. Late on Wednesday night, Crosby finally released his first statement since the failed physical and failed trade with Baltimore.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Crosby wrote on a social media post. “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see. I’m a Raider. I’m back. Run that (expletive).”
That statement slams the door shut on Crosby going anywhere in 2026. On Friday, Crosby’s $29 million salary for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed, which would all but guarantee that he’s staying in Las Vegas. It’s tough news for Bears fans to stomach after months of speculation but this is the best news for Chicago. Trading the future for an injured 28-year-old pass rusher is bad business, which is why the Ravens ultimately got cold feet on the eve of the wedding day.
Chicago Bears still have an obvious path to land an impact edge rusher this offseason
The Bears have been quiet about addressing the defensive front since the legal tampering period, adding only two depth players on the interior in Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street. Fans were hoping for a more impactful signing and probably still are with players such as Cameron Jordan, Joey Bosa, and D.J. Wonnum still available.
The fact of the matter is, the Bears have little cap space remaining and it’s not worth restructuring big contracts that pushes more money down the road to sign an aging veteran. It’s very likely the Bears head into April with Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Shemar Turner as the main edge rushers on the roster.
The splash addition off the edge will now likely come in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears currently hold four Top-100 selections and could use multiple of those to draft some defensive line help. General manager Ryan Poles noted at the NFL Combine at this year’s class is deep at EDGE and everything has always been pointing in addressing that position in the draft.
First-round options include Keldric Faulk, Akeem Mesidor, T.J. Parker, and Zion Young. On Day 2, you’re looking at guys like R Mason Thomas, Gabe Jacas, Romello Height, Derrick Moore, and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Surely one of those top edge rushers will become a Chicago Bear.