Maxx Crosby Trade: Bears Lead the Race as Deal Could Happen This Week
The Maxx Crosby trade saga is reaching its boiling point. The Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher is the hottest name in NFL news right now — a deal could happen before the new league year opens March 11, and the Chicago Bears have emerged as the frontrunner. Here is everything you need to know.
Maxx Crosby Trade: Could Happen "This Week"
NFL Media's Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that it is fair to assume the Raiders are getting many calls about Maxx Crosby, and that there is a possibility of a Crosby trade happening between now and the start of the league year. Pelissero added that he leans toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening — and maybe this week.
Teams keeping an eye on Crosby include Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders are not making calls — the calls are coming to them.
The Raiders have not appeared interested in dealing Crosby this offseason, but multiple teams believe that is because Las Vegas wants a Micah Parsons-type trade package — two first-rounders plus a young player. The Raiders are extremely unlikely to get that exact return, but there are teams willing to give up a first-round pick and then some to land the 28-year-old, who has 68 tackles for loss over the last three seasons — the second most in the NFL.
Bears Are the Frontrunner for Maxx Crosby
The Chicago Bears have emerged as strong favorites to land Maxx Crosby amid the growing trade rumors.
The Bears have their normal allotment of draft picks for 2026 and can still be aggressive to land a top-tier pass rusher thanks to having one more year of Caleb Williams playing on his rookie contract — making the window to win now very much open in Chicago.
What Crosby Brings: Elite Pass Rusher on a Team-Friendly Deal
Crosby has 68 tackles for loss over the last three seasons — the second most in the NFL during that span. He will be 29 when the 2026 season starts and is under contract for four more years.
If Crosby is willing to play the upcoming season on his current contract, that would sweeten the offers for Las Vegas. If Crosby wanted a raise, it would lessen the compensation sent to the Raiders. At least one high-ranking source told CBS Sports it is his belief Crosby would play this season under his current contract.
Crosby is coming off meniscus surgery and has dealt with injuries in recent years — a factor teams are weighing as they assess what package to offer Las Vegas.
Raiders' Situation: Rebuilding Around No. 1 Pick
The Raiders are coming off a 3-14 season and hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Crosby has said publicly that he wants to win — and that desire, combined with Las Vegas being at least two years from contending, is driving the trade buzz.
When Raiders GM John Spytek met with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine, he expressed a desire to keep Crosby — but the market for his services is clearly too strong to ignore.
Other Potential Maxx Crosby Trade Destinations
One analyst projects Crosby heading to the San Francisco 49ers — a team in the twilight years of several All-Pro veterans — where Crosby could help push the window before a roster transition begins. For the Raiders, the move would help turn the page to a new era of Las Vegas football.
The Cowboys are also lurking. Dallas restructured $66 million in cap space this week, with owner Jerry Jones publicly pledging to spend big to improve the defense — and Crosby fits that profile perfectly. The new NFL league year opens March 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET. If a Maxx Crosby trade is coming, it is days away.
