All things considered, the Chicago Bears have had a mixed offseason. They've made some solid moves, and they didn't need to address that many flaws, but it still feels like they could've and should've done more.
That's especially the case with their pass-rushing unit. They had the second-lowest pass-rush win rate last season (29 percent) according to ESPN, and their 2.1 sacks per game were tied for 21st.
That's why, after watching them ignore that glaring need in the NFL Draft and free agency, FanSided's Jake Beckman thinks they could still make a big splash in the trade market. In a recent column, he argued the Bears should be all over Maxx Crosby -- again.
The Bears should still try to trade for Maxx Crosby
"Going into free agency, the Bears needed a real and dominant defensive end, and they didn’t get one. Going into the draft, they still needed a real and dominant defensive end, and they still didn’t get one," Beckman wrote. "Maxx Crosby is still out there."
Whlie the Maxx Crosby trade market may have cooled off after his fiasco with the Baltimore Ravens, the Bears should still be interested. He's projected to be fully healthy for the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery, and his trade value can only go up once he's healthy.
Of course, the Raiders can also play the waiting game, and they should have no rush to make a move after managing to keep him. But if the Bears are willing to meet their steep asking price -- which they should -- then they can have a conversation.
Most teams are hesitant to part ways with 2027 first-round picks, given how stacked that class promises to be. That makes sense, but the Bears have a plethora of young playmakers, and they can afford to part ways with valuable assets to land one of the best headhunters in the game.
Crosby has made his peace with being a Raider for life, but he was also on board with being on the move. The Bears are clearly far ahead of the Raiders in terms of contention, and he'd certainly appreciate having an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl.
Bears' GM Ryan Poles has done a solid job of turning this franchise around, but not addressing the team's major need for a pass rusher could come back to haunt him this season. Given the assets they had, it might even be a fireable offense, depending on how the team fares.
Trading for Crosby might be easier said than done, and he'll also come with an impending contract extension. Still, teams with Super Bowl aspirations have to take risks, and he's more than worth the gamble.
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