ESPN Floats Blockbuster Maxx Crosby-to-Bears Trade Proposal
Jeremy Fowler proposed a massive trade sending Maxx Crosby to Chicago. Here’s what it would cost, and whether the Bears should consider it.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler proposed the kind of blockbuster trade that would spark major debate among Chicago Bears fans.
His hypothetical: the Raiders send Maxx Crosby to the Bears. In return, Las Vegas gets DJ Moore, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 draft, and a 2027 third-rounder.
It’s aggressive, expensive, and, yeah, Bears fans would have some strong opinions.
Forgetting the cost for a minute, it would be fun to see Crosby in a Bears uniform, wouldn't it?
Chicago’s defensive front was a problem in 2025. As Fowler noted, the Bears tied for last in pass rush win rate at 28.8%, matching Cincinnati at the bottom of the league. It's why opposing quarterbacks rarely felt heat from Dennis Allen's defense, even during a season that ended in an NFC North title for the Ben Johnson.
Enter Crosby.
The Raiders’ edge rusher remains one of the most disruptive players in football. In 2025, he recorded 10 sacks and continued to play at a level reserved for the NFL's elite pass rushers. His motor never shuts off. His ability to win one-on-one would immediately change how offenses protect against Chicago.
Pair him with Montez Sweat, and suddenly the Bears go from needing blitz help to dictating matchups.
But the cost?
Trading DJ Moore is not minor. While Moore's production was down in 2025, he proved to be Caleb Williams' most-trusted target when games were on the line. Moving him would shift the offensive core to Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden III. Sure, they're talented, but there's still a sense that they have a lot to prove.
The Bears would have to make sure Crosby's knee injury is behind him, too.
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Financially, the deal works. Fowler noted that Moore’s departure would free roughly $16.5 million in cap space, helping offset Crosby’s three-year, $106.5 million contract. The Bears are operating inside a two-year window before Williams’ fifth-year option reshapes the books. This is the time to be bold.
The Raiders’ side is logical, too. They’d land an established No. 1 receiver to pair with projected top pick Fernando Mendoza while gaining premium draft capital.
The question for Chicago is simple: Are you ready to sacrifice offensive stability for defensive dominance?
A Chicago Bears team with Maxx Crosby feels more like a squad that can compete for a Super Bowl, even if that means DJ Moore is sent out of town.
Fowler’s proposal isn’t crazy. It’s the kind of decision that would tell a lot about how close Ryan Poles thinks these Bears are to making a run at the Lombardi Trophy.
