The NFL's recent salary cap projections for the 2026 season have Chicago Bears fans dreaming about a potential Maxx Crosby trade again. With the Las Vegas Raiders' relationship with the star pass rusher seemingly deteriorating, the Bears — who are in dire need of quarterback disruptors — are a potential threat to pry Crosby from Sin City.
The Bears' Super Bowl window is clearly open, leaving time to tell if general manager Ryan Poles can put together an offer good enough to land Crosby. Having said that, a trade won't come cheap, and the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs highlighted one of the reasons the franchise could shy away from a potential deal.
"My intuition is that general manager Ryan Poles would have a hard time bundling two first-round draft picks or something close to that to acquire Crosby. If the price is lower, then it would be an intriguing option... I firmly believe if the Raiders shop Crosby, they’ll be looking for a big-time return in draft capital.Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune
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Biggs is making it clear here that there is a sense of belief that any trade for Crosby would mortgage the future. If the Raiders only want draft picks in return, it is a huge risk to send such a large portion of their future in exchange for a single player.
The only way that it ends in Chicago's favor is if multiple deep playoff runs force Las Vegas to draft towards the end of each round. Any other scenario ends in frustration and fans questioning why they spent their future on one star pass rusher.
With that in mind, that isn't the only risk that comes with the Bears potentially trading for Crosby.
Bears Cannot Ignore Red Flags in Potential Maxx Crosby Blockbuster
Crosby's health could be another factor that gives the Bears pause regarding a trade. Over the last two years, the veteran has missed seven games and was shut down at the end of this past season. A decision that caused friction between the two sides, with Las Vegas wanting to protect Crosby and the five-time Pro Bowler making it clear his desire to continue playing.
Crosby's conflict regarding his playing status introduces a concern that if Chicago were to trade for him, a similar situation could eventually happen in the Windy City. The drama in Las Vegas is perhaps understandable, but it is also a warning sign that if Crosby isn't content or happy with a decision being made, there won't be any hesitation to make waves.
Head coach Ben Johnson has done a terrific job of reforming the Bears' culture. The last thing he'd want is for any Crosby-related issues to set any progress back, especially if his play doesn't make it worth sitting through the potential drama.
Although it was only in 2023 when Crosby amassed a career-high 14.5 sacks, he's recorded just 17.5 sacks in 27 games across the last two seasons. Perhaps a change of scenery will help him, but there's also a chance that injuries have put his best days in the rearview, which leads us to the biggest concern: his contract.
According to Spotrac, Crosby's cap hit will be at least $27.2 million or higher in each of the four remaining years of his deal. Four years is a long time for health concerns to reappear as well.
Season | Salary Cap Hit |
|---|---|
2026 | $35,883,250 |
2027 | $29,782,000 |
2028 | $27,282,000 |
2029 | $28,212,000 |
The issue with taking on this contract isn't just Crosby himself; it could also impact the Bears' future negotiations. Looking at Chicago's core, the biggest name that will soon be due a top-dollar contract is quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears cannot afford to mess around with the franchise QB's future, and it is fair to wonder if adding Crosby would do just that.
No matter where you fall on the Bears chasing Crosby, there is no denying the outlined risks and why it could be to Chicago's detriment in the long term. Chicago must weigh the idea very carefully, understanding the slim margin for error and the potential pitfalls if the franchise does opt to chase the disgruntled star.