Bears Acquire Star DE Maxx Crosby in Blockbuster Trade

Chicago sends WR DJ Moore, 1st-round pick, and more to Raiders

Mar. 1, 2026 at 8:15am

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The Chicago Bears have made a major move to bolster their defense, acquiring star defensive end Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders. In the trade, the Bears are sending wide receiver DJ Moore, their 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), and a 2027 third-round pick to the Raiders.

Why it matters

The Bears' defense struggled last season, and adding a dominant pass rusher like Crosby should significantly improve their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks. This trade signals the Bears' intent to build a championship-caliber roster around young quarterback Justin Fields.

The details

Crosby, 25, is one of the NFL's premier defensive ends, making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and 2023. He recorded 14.5 sacks last season for the Raiders. In return, the Raiders receive a talented young wide receiver in DJ Moore, who had over 1,100 receiving yards in 2025, as well as valuable draft capital to help rebuild their roster.

  • The trade was completed on February 20, 2026.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A 25-year-old defensive end who has made the Pro Bowl in two of his first four NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.

DJ Moore

A 24-year-old wide receiver for the Chicago Bears who had over 1,100 receiving yards in 2025.

Justin Fields

The young quarterback of the Chicago Bears, around whom the team is looking to build a championship-caliber roster.

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What they’re saying

“Maxx Crosby is one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, and adding him to our defense is a game-changer. We're thrilled to bring in a talent like him to help us reach the next level.”

— Ryan Poles, General Manager, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears will look to sign Crosby to a long-term contract extension this offseason to keep him in Chicago for the foreseeable future.

The takeaway

This blockbuster trade shows the Bears' commitment to building a championship-caliber roster around their young quarterback Justin Fields. Acquiring an elite pass rusher like Maxx Crosby should significantly improve their defense and give them a better chance of competing for a Super Bowl in the coming years.