The Chicago Bears were in the mix to trade for Las Vegas Raiders superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby before he was moved to the Baltimore Ravens, which itself was ultimately nixed on the grounds of a failed medical pertaining to Crosby’s injured knee.
In light of the failed move, Raiders general manager John Spytek reversed course and decided that the team’s plan was keep Crosby, especially in light of the uncertainty surrounding the 28-year old’s injury.
This appeared to shut the door – mostly if not fully – on a move elsewhere, barring Vegas receiving some outrageous offer akin to that of which they obtained from Baltimore.
However, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Raiders could be open to moving Crosby at the trade deadline in early November.
Maxx Crosby Most Likely to be Traded Near the Deadline
“If there’s a window to trade Crosby, it’s probably closer to the trade deadline. As we’ve established, it wouldn’t make sense for Vegas to sell low here. But if Crosby plays well, and the Raiders are struggling through a rebuild in late October, then all of this can be revisited. It’s not like there wouldn’t be a market then, if things play out that way.” Breer wrote on Monday.
At that point, if the Raiders are struggling once more and the Bears are looking like contenders in the division, GM Ryan Poles could swoop in and make an offer for the two-time All-Pro defensive end.
Chicago would likely have to give up something at least coming close-ish to the two first round pick range; or perhaps a first rounder, second rounder and a player of legitimate value. But if come the fall the Bears see themselves becoming serious contenders to win the whole thing by adding an elite pass rusher off the edge, it would certainly be possibility that Poles and co. pull the trigger on the move.
How Would the Bears Make a Crosby Trade Work Financially?
The finances are probably the biggest impediment to a trade later this year, if Crosby’s knee turns out to be fine.
The Bears currently lie last in the league in available cap space with just over $1 million available, so not exactly heaps of room to take aboard the former fourth round pick’s pricey $35 million per year extension signed last offseason.
However, the team could certainly get creative if they do end up pursuing a trade in earnest. First, the Bears can save $16 million against the cap in 2026 if they trade edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo after June 1st – a player who could well be used as part of the compensation package for Crosby, with the Raiders then absorbing his $15 million salary.
Chicago can also save $9 million by releasing or trading tight end Cole Kmet post June 1, who might be surplus to requirements mid-way through the season if 2025 first round pick Colston Loveland continues to develop and improve.
That would free up a total of $25 million, which would be more than enough room for the Bears to allocate towards the first year of Crosby’s deal, given that big money extensions almost always tend to push the larger cap hits towards the back end of the contract.
This is just speculation at this point, but there is certainly a viable, salary cap-compliant route to the Bears making a Crosby contract work if they can make a deal with Las Vegas.
Bears Get New Update On Potential Maxx Crosby Trade Timeline