LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Raiders are closing in on the offseason with plenty of questions surrounding the future of their defensive cornerstone. However, the Raiders will have to ward off any potential suitors looking to pry Maxx Crosby away from the franchise in the 2026 cycle.
With their playoff hopes essentially down the drain, the Raiders are counting down the days until the draft, having officially shut down Crosby for the remainder of the campaign.
However, the Raiders will have to keep a watchful eye in the 11th hour as they look to manage the fallout from the five-time Pro Bowler.
League sources suggest that Las Vegas could potentially be open to a "king’s ransom" trade this spring to facilitate a total roster reset.
Crosby seems pretty locked in on his dissatisfaction with the team’s direction, specifically the perceived shift from a ‘Commitment to Excellence’ to a commitment to the top overall draft pick.
Chicago might be negotiating to find the 'missing piece' for their defense, which would mark the franchise's return to the top of the NFC hierarchy.
According to rumors, discussions may take place regarding the potential pairing of Crosby with Montez Sweat to create the league's most formidable pass-rushing duo. If it becomes reality, the deal will be a blockbuster one.
If terms are reached, the Bears could announce a revamped defensive front when the new league year begins in March.
The Bears traditionally build through the draft, but GM Ryan Poles has shown a willingness to spend capital on proven talent. Chicago has been transformed under Ben Johnson’s offense, but the defense ranks 26th in pressure rate. Since acquiring Sweat, the unit has improved, but they have met the requirements for a second "alpha" rusher to become a true contender.
That has put Chicago in prime position for a Crosby trade, while the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions remain under consideration. The Bears previously made a similar splash in 2018, when they acquired Khalil Mack from the Raiders.
That trade drew a significant amount of criticism in hindsight due to the draft capital lost. However, the context has shifted significantly. In 2018, the Bears were trying to carry Mitchell Trubisky. In 2025, they have Caleb Williams.
The economic and competitive impact would be significant, with experts estimating the cost at two first-round picks and a high-caliber player like Tremaine Edmunds or Braxton Jones. While the Bears face a projected cap hit of over $30 million for Crosby in 2026, the deal would only carry $5 million in dead money for Las Vegas.
The Raiders have not shed light on any internal friction yet, like Crosby's camp. The tension inside the Henderson facility seems to be as thick as it has ever been, with Crosby reportedly storming out after the medical staff pulled the plug on his season.
If traded, Crosby would become one of the most high-profile departures in the Raiders history.
There have been multiple reports this week about the "Khalil Mack Ghost" and how the 2018 deal still haunts both franchises in different ways.
Chicago wants to move on from the narrative that they cannot win "the big one" without mortgaging the future. They are confident that acquiring Crosby is different because they are maximizing Caleb Williams’ rookie contract window.
The Bears want to continue to build through the draft but would like to secure a Hall of Fame-caliber rusher while he is still in his prime. One report pointed to the team’s draft position likely being in the late 20s, where prospects like T.J. Parker or Cashius Howell are available but are not Maxx Crosby.
The proposed trade, much like the Mack deal, would likely happen before the draft and would reshape the NFC North landscape for years to come.
Mark Davis, the owner of the Raiders, turned plenty of heads when he previously stated he would never trade "98."
The main storyline heading into the offseason is whether or not Crosby has played his last snap in Silver and Black. The defensive end has not yet announced a formal trade request. To be fair, he signed a record-breaking $106.5 million extension in March 2025. What else is left for him to prove in Las Vegas if the culture is shifting toward tanking?
After the news broke of his shutdown, the rift between Crosby’s "once a Raider, always a Raider" loyalty and the front office’s strategy became undeniable.
Although the spotlight was supposed to be on the Raiders' draft strategy, Crosby managed to steal the thunder.
If Chicago decides to swing, they wouldn’t just be acquiring sacks; they’d be acquiring a "dark side" mentality the locker room hasn’t seen since the Mack era.
Big week for the Bears front office.