There’s been a lot of talk ever since the Chicago Bears’ season ended on what the team will do on the defensive line. General manager Ryan Poles mentioned how it’s an area where he has to “continue to press and get better,” but also added that injuries have played a massive part.
“I look forward to Shemar (Turner) getting back and Dayo (Odeyingbo) getting back,” Poles said.
Injuries have indeed played a massive part in the Bears’ lack of getting to the quarterback in 2025, but fans can’t help but wonder about the possibility of adding either Cincinnati Bengals’ star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson or Las Vegas Raiders’ star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
NFL Insider Albert Breer joined ESPN Chicago and gave his thoughts on the Bears potentially going after one of the two star edge rushers.
Albert Breer Gives His Thoughts on Bears Going After Trey Hendrickson/Maxx Crosby
Breer shared his outlook on the Bears pursuing Hendrickson or Crosby this offseason:
“There needs to be a limit on how far I’d go to get him [Trey Hendrickson], and how many years out I’d be guaranteeing money because, again, guys that age with some injury issues…But I’d think it’d probably be worth the gamble. If you look at somebody like him [Trey Hendrickson] vs. Maxx (Crosby)…the tradeoff is you wouldn’t be giving up picks to get him.”
There are two distinct differences. Hendrickson is three years older than Crosby (31 vs. 28 years old), but the Bears would have to give up premium draft capital to attain Crosby, whereas Hendrickson will be a free agent this offseason.
Despite saying it could be worth the gamble to sign Hendrickson, Breer backtracked and suggested it won’t be a long-term fix.
“If you are gonna go and get a Trey Hendrickson, it’s not like that’s a solution for the next four years.”
Cautioning the Bears to Not Make the Same Mistake the Washington Commanders Made
Breer didn’t eliminate the Bears going after either of the two star pass rushers, but cautioned them, giving a comparison to the Washington Commanders’ aggressive strategy that backfired.
“Now, you gotta be careful. The Commanders, I guess, are becoming a little bit of a cautionary tale on that. Jayden Daniels as a rookie, they’re very aggressive in building around him. They put a lot of veteran players around him. But all those guys, you know, your Bobby Wagners, your Dorance Armstrongs, they’re bringing in all these older guys. Then that works, they start trading draft picks for Marshon Lattimore and Deebo Samuel, and Laremy Tunsil.
Ok, now you’re going and going and going, but your team has gotten older and older and older and then the injuries hit this year for them, and now all your draft picks are gone. So now you’re sort of in this position where it’s like you have to replenish your roster because all those guys you signed are going to start aging out, and you don’t have any capital to do it. As you get closer to retain Jayden Daniels, well, you’re going to need to count on your roster now.”
The Commanders are the oldest team in the NFL with an average roster age of 28.09 years old. The Bears are 17th in the NFL at 26.23 years old.
At first, it feels like the Bears aren’t heading in that same path the Commanders are currently on. But like the Commanders, the Bears are currently building around their rookie quarterback and brought in some older players like Grady Jarrett (32), Durham Smythe (30), Joe Thuney (33), and Kevin Byard (32).
Is the right move bringing in another pass rusher that’s either older or would require some premium draft capital? Also, keep in mind that Montez Sweat will be 30 years old by the time the 2026 season starts.
It would be exciting to see the Bears bring in another premium pass rusher, but Hendrickson and Crosby might not be the right solution for Chicago.
NFL Insider Sends Message to Bears Over Trey Hendrickson-Maxx Crosby Debate