The Chicago Bears enter this offseason in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in years, they are not debating whether their rebuild is working. They are debating how aggressive they should be now that it clearly is.
After a breakout 2025 season behind Caleb Williams, Bears fans have shifted their attention to what comes next. Many believe the answer is a splash trade for an elite defender, with Maxx Crosby frequently mentioned as the missing piece.
According to Brad Biggs, that expectation may not align with how the Bears actually see themselves.
Biggs urges patience, not panic
Biggs has pushed back on the idea that Crosby, or any single player, is what puts the Bears over the top. His reporting suggests the organization does not feel urgency to force a “win-now” move, even after last season’s success.
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Inside Halas Hall, the belief is that the Bears’ window is opening, not closing. If Williams continues to develop as expected and Ben Johnson proves to be a long-term answer, Chicago could be positioned to contend for years, not just one season.
Because of that outlook, Biggs would be hesitant to see the Bears part with first-round draft capital. Surrendering premium picks for a veteran defender would represent a philosophical shift from the approach that has brought the franchise back into relevance.
Splash trades don’t guarantee titles
Recent history supports that caution.
The Green Bay Packers dominated headlines after trading for Micah Parsons. They were widely projected as NFC favorites. They failed to win a playoff game.
The Kansas City Chiefs entered the year with Super Bowl expectations and missed the postseason entirely.
Preseason hype often creates confidence that is not backed by results. Biggs’ broader point is that trading future flexibility for immediate excitement rarely offers guarantees when January arrives.
Ryan Poles’ long-term view
General manager Ryan Poles has taken a measured approach since arriving in Chicago. The rebuild was slow and, at times, frustrating. Now, the payoff is visible.
Williams looks like a franchise quarterback. Johnson has reshaped the offense. The Bears earned a Wild Card win over Green Bay and came one completed pass away from the NFC Championship Game.
That progress came without sacrificing future draft assets. From Biggs’ reporting, there is little appetite inside the organization to abandon that formula now.
The case for making the move anyway
Still, there is a credible argument on the other side.
The Bears are no longer searching for answers at quarterback. Williams already looks capable of elevating the roster, and the offense showed late last season it can score against top competition. That reality changes how teams evaluate risk.
There is also a financial factor. Williams remains on his rookie contract, which gives the Bears flexibility that many contenders lack. Teams often use that window to absorb expensive veterans while keeping the rest of the roster intact.
Defensively, Chicago feels close. The unit is solid but lacks a consistent game-wrecking presence off the edge. Adding a player like Crosby would immediately raise the defense’s ceiling. His ability to generate pressure without blitzing could swing playoff games and create shorter fields for an offense already trending upward.
From that perspective, a blockbuster trade would not be a shortcut. It would be a finishing move. If the Bears believe they are one elite defender away, the cost could feel justified, even if it is steep.
Maxx Crosby trade snapshot
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 |
| Position | Edge rusher |
| Recent Production | Elite pressure rates, consistent double-digit sack seasons, extremely high snap volume |
| Durability Risk | Heavy mileage, routinely plays through injuries |
| Contract Status | Expensive veteran deal already in place |
| Likely Trade Cost | At least two first-round picks, plus additional assets |
| Primary Risk | Paying premium draft capital for a player nearing 30 in a long-term build |
Crosby is unquestionably a difference-maker. The debate is not about talent. It is about timing and philosophy.
Where the Bears land
The Bears are no longer rebuilding, but they are not desperate. That balance is why this decision matters.
Biggs’ reporting suggests Chicago does not feel pressure to act, and his read on the organization carries weight. The Bears believe they have built something sustainable, and that belief encourages restraint.
At the same time, windows in the NFL are never guaranteed. With a quarterback on a rookie deal and a roster nearing contender status, the temptation to push forward is real.
Whether Chicago ultimately waits or swings big, the decision will not be made out of fear. It will be made out of confidence in how far the Bears have already come — and clarity about how they want to get where they are going next.
What I am hearing
From what I have picked up, the Bears are expected to lean heavily into defense in the draft and could still make one notable splash in free agency.
Right now, the momentum inside Halas Hall does not match the noise on the outside. Trade ideas involving Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett simply do not carry the same level of energy internally as they do among fans and analysts.
That does not mean the door is closed. Front offices adjust quickly, and conversations can change as March approaches and the league calendar shifts. But as of now, the Bears appear more focused on strengthening the defense through the draft while maintaining flexibility rather than emptying future assets for a single blockbuster trade.
If anything shifts, it will likely come closer to free agency, when price tags become clearer and timelines tighten.
