Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears entered the 2026 offseason with a clear need to upgrade their long-moribund pass rush, and they appear to be in a strong position to make something happen with one of the best in the game.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is a highly coveted player. He would have no shortage of suitors if he officially went on the trade block.
And if Crosby is moved this offseason, the Bears are the betting favorites to secure his services.
Bears Have Best Odds to Land Raiders’ Maxx Crosby
Vegas Likes Maxx Crosby-to-Bears Scenario
Crosby turns 29 in August. He has battled injuries over the past couple of seasons with a lofty contract that could require further addressing in the near future. He is also one of the best pass rushers and players in the NFL.
The Bears, who ranked 28th in sacks last season, could certainly use both.
“DraftKings has the Bears as the +200 favorites to secure his services via trade with the Raiders,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on March 3.
They have since improved to -135.
Florio also cited Pro Football Talk’s previous reporting about the Raiders’ asking price in a trade for Crosby. Crosby is said to be ready for a change of scenery. They want two first-round picks and a player.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doubted that would happen.
The Bears have better odds than the Raiders (+350), with five teams–Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles–tied at +700.
The New England Patriots (+1000) and Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1200) round out the list, setting the stage for a potentially franchise-altering deal for the Bears if they so choose.
Bears’ Finances Loom Large
Crosby is signed through 2029 with a three-year, $106.5 million extension. That does not begin until 2027. The deal has no guaranteed money. That could make it ripe for an adjustment following a trade or sometime in the months after.
The Bears are over the salary cap entering the offseason. They have plans–or at least a willingness–to offload several of their prominent veterans to open up more wiggle room.
The trick would be landing Crosby while remaining flexible and not depleting their group.
The Raiders are said to have interest in Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Bears wide receiver DJ Moore has also been a popular addition in speculation about what Chicago could offer in a trade.
It is unclear if the Bears’ player assets would be enough to ease the required draft capital commitments.
Crosby would be an asset for any team, and the Bears are no exception.
