The Chicago Bears surprised a lot of people this season. A team that many pegged as a year or two away made a legitimate playoff push and came within striking distance of the NFC Championship Game.
That kind of leap doesn’t just happen by accident-it’s the product of a young roster maturing, a coaching staff finding its rhythm, and a front office making the right bets. But if the Bears want to take that next step in 2026, the kind that ends with confetti falling in February, they’ll need to keep swinging big.
And right now, there’s one name dominating the wish lists of Bears fans: Maxx Crosby.
Crosby has been a force of nature for the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s the kind of edge rusher who keeps offensive coordinators up at night-relentless motor, elite burst, and a knack for wrecking plays before they even get started.
He’s not just good; he’s one of the best in the league at what he does. And with the Raiders seemingly headed for a rebuild, the idea of moving Crosby-while painful-might be on the table if the return is right.
Enter the Bears.
Chicago has the draft capital. They’ve got young talent.
And they’ve got a clear need for a game-changing edge rusher who can anchor the defense for years to come. The blueprint for a deal like this already exists.
Just last offseason, the Packers pulled off a blockbuster, sending two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark to Dallas in exchange for Micah Parsons. If that’s the going rate for a premier defensive star, then you can bet the Raiders would expect something similar for Crosby.
That likely means parting with two first-round picks and a proven player. And if the Bears are serious about making a move, DJ Moore’s name is going to come up.
Moore has been a rock for Chicago’s offense-tough, reliable, and a leader in the locker room. But when you’re chasing elite talent, tough decisions have to be made.
The good news? There’s reason to believe both sides are at least open to the conversation.
Raiders GM John Spytek was asked directly at his end-of-season press conference whether Crosby was untouchable. His answer?
A lot of praise for Crosby’s impact and value, but notably, no outright denial that he could be traded. That kind of non-answer speaks volumes.
It’s not a sign the Raiders are eager to move him-but it’s also not slamming the door shut.
On the Bears’ side, GM Ryan Poles faced a similar line of questioning about Moore. He lauded the wideout’s toughness and commitment, but also made it clear that the team has some big roster decisions ahead.
Again, no guarantees. No one is off-limits.
So what does this all mean?
It means the framework is there. Both teams have the pieces.
Both front offices are at least entertaining the idea of major moves. And with recent trades setting the market, the Bears and Raiders wouldn’t be flying blind in negotiations.
There’s no Jerry Jones in this scenario, but that doesn’t mean a splash can’t happen.
For Chicago, adding Maxx Crosby would be a franchise-altering move. It would signal to the rest of the NFC that the Bears aren’t just happy to be in the playoff mix-they’re coming for more. And for Las Vegas, a deal like this could accelerate the rebuild, giving them premium draft picks and a proven offensive weapon in Moore.
It’s the kind of trade that reshapes both teams. And if the phone rings this offseason, don’t be surprised if it’s Chicago on the line, ready to make a move that could define the next chapter of Bears football.