Will the Bears Regret Missing Out on the Former Raiders Star Pass Rusher?
The Chicago Bears have been in the market for a pass rusher since the 2025-26 season began. Defensive end Montez Sweat has been their primary source at the position since he joined the team in 2023. Sweat was having a fantastic season the year he jumped from the Washington Commanders to the Bears, totaling 12.5 sacks and being one of the league's best pass rushers. Since then, he has shown he’s still reliable, but not necessarily enough to fix the struggles Chicago has had in creating pressure on quarterbacks over the past few seasons. Bears fans have been begging for the defensive line to see major upgrades, and with an impressive amount of available talent this offseason, they were sure it could be fixed. Unfortunately for Chicago, arguably the best available one that was most linked to them has gone.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, Maxx Crosby, was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. The move came as a bit of a shock to the league, as the Ravens weren’t considered one of the top teams in the running for Crosby. Chicago was the most favorable choice amongst insiders in the league, so the trade came as a bit of a disappointment for Bears fans. In 2025, the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end earned one interception, two forced fumbles, 10 sacks, and 73 tackles. Despite the Raiders’ lack of success as a team, Crosby once again showed he’s one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the NFL with the ability to do it all. While Chicago could’ve used a player with the caliber of the former Raider, it could actually have saved them from making a risky move.
Giving up two first-rounders was always the price it would take to receive the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end, and for any team, it’s a giant gamble on a player who is beginning to age in the league. Head coach Ben Johnson has shown he values younger players and building through the NFL Draft, so giving up two first-round picks may have been way too high a price. Most recently, defensive end Khalil Mack also came off the board of available players at the position, with the Los Angeles Chargers re-signing him to a one-year contract. Bears fans are beginning to scratch their heads at what they will end up doing to solve their pass-rushing issues. The answer, however, may be as simple as what Ben Johnson wants to continue to do for the organization, and that’s draft high-value talent. Chicago also still has the option of seeking out defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is still available for more than likely a much cheaper price than the rest that have been taken. No matter what, there are still plenty of options at play for the Bears, and they’ll continue to be a team to keep an eye on at the defensive end market.
