Bears' Maxx Crosby trade rumors shut down by Chicago insider

The Bears were never offering two first-round picks for the Raiders star edge rusher.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:04am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-tackle, their body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the raw power and dynamism of professional football.A cubist interpretation of a star NFL pass rusher's explosive energy and impact on the game.Chicago Today

Recent reports suggested the Chicago Bears were willing to send the Las Vegas Raiders two first-round picks in a trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. However, a league source has now told The Athletic that this was never the case, shutting down those trade rumors.

Why it matters

Crosby is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, so acquiring him would have been a major move for the Bears to boost their defense. The failed trade with the Ravens also raised questions about Crosby's future in Las Vegas. This report clarifies that the Bears were not actually offering the high price tag that was speculated.

The details

While the Bears were linked to Crosby trade rumors for weeks, a league source told The Athletic that the team never offered two first-round picks to the Raiders to acquire the star edge rusher. The Raiders had previously agreed to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, but that deal fell through, leading to speculation the Bears could swoop in.

  • The Maxx Crosby trade rumors surfaced in the early stages of the 2026 NFL offseason.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A star edge rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chicago Bears

The NFL team based in Chicago, Illinois.

The Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL team based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Baltimore Ravens

The NFL team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“While the Bears were linked to that Crosby storyline for weeks, with speculation swirling that they, too, had offered Las Vegas a pair of first-round picks, that wasn't the case, a league source told The Athletic.”

— Dan Wiederer, Reporter

The takeaway

This report helps clarify the Bears' interest, or lack thereof, in trading for Maxx Crosby. It shows that the team was not willing to part with two first-round picks, despite the speculation, and that the failed Ravens trade did not necessarily mean Crosby was on the trade block.