The Chicago Bears made a statement in 2025 - and not just by sweeping their longtime rivals in Green Bay. They took the NFC North crown, knocked the Packers out of the playoffs in a thrilling Wild Card showdown at Soldier Field, and gave fans a reason to believe that this team is finally turning the corner.
It was a season of bold steps forward, and now the attention shifts to what comes next. Because if the Bears want to keep that momentum rolling into 2026, they’ll need more than just good vibes - they’ll need reinforcements.
Naturally, the fanbase is already buzzing about the offseason. The energy is high, the expectations are climbing, and the calls for a splash move are getting louder. The question isn’t just “What’s next?” - it’s “Who’s next?”
One name that’s been floated in the rumor mill: Maxx Crosby.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher is one of the most relentless defenders in the league - a motor that never cools, a presence that offenses have to account for on every snap. And with the Raiders in a state of flux, it’s fair to wonder whether Crosby could be eyeing a new chapter. Could Chicago be that landing spot?
When asked about the possibility, Bears general manager Ryan Poles didn’t tip his hand. “I don’t know,” he said when questioned about a potential pursuit of Crosby this offseason. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either - and in January, that’s enough to get people talking.
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic weighed in on the idea, acknowledging that while a deal like that would be complicated, it’s not entirely off the table. “There’s so many things that need to happen to make it work,” Fishbain said during a recent appearance on 670 The Score. “So I’m not giving you a great answer, but to quote the philosopher Kevin Garnett, anything is possible.”
The Bears wouldn’t be the first NFC North team to go big-game hunting at the edge position. Just look at what the Packers pulled off last offseason, when they shocked the league by trading for Micah Parsons - a blockbuster move that instantly upgraded their defense and signaled their win-now intentions. Could the Bears follow suit with a headline-grabbing deal of their own?
It’s a tantalizing thought. Pairing a dominant pass rusher with an already ascending defense could be the kind of move that changes the trajectory of a season - or a franchise.
And after a year that saw Chicago make real progress, this offseason feels like a pivotal moment. The Bears have a chance to build on what they started, to turn a breakthrough into something bigger.
Whether that means going all-in for a player like Maxx Crosby remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Bears aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They’re in the conversation - and if they want to stay there, bold might be the only way forward.