Expectations are that a resolution is coming on the Maxx Crosby front, one way or another, in the next week or so. Either the star defensive end would work things out with the Las Vegas Raiders, or he’d be traded. There is no shortage of suitors. Several teams have been in contact with the Raiders about a potential deal, including NFC heavyweights like the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. Are the Chicago Bears even involved? Yes. They’ve been keeping tabs on the Crosby situation since it began unfolding at the end of the regular season.

What hasn’t been known is where the 29-year-old himself stands on the matter. He has not openly requested a trade, but there have been rumblings that he wants to win. The Raiders are entering another rebuild phase, and that will take time. Crosby’s prime won’t last much longer. He wants to go somewhere he can chase a championship. Does he have a preferred destination? As a matter of fact, he does. Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado, one of the most accurate NFL insiders in the business, dropped this little nugget.

Maxx Crosby to Chicago started feeling realistic a couple of weeks ago.

That was when quarterback Caleb Williams appeared on his podcast. The two spoke for an hour about various topics, including Crosby’s immense respect for Williams and the team’s accomplishments last season. It’s clear he has been paying close attention from afar. The timing of the appearance felt incredibly coincidental. Did Williams have it on good authority that Chicago had a real shot at landing the star pass rusher? This update from Allbright certainly gives that theory massive weight.

Remember, this is the same guy who correctly predicted the Bears would trade for Jonah Jackson. That was on March 1st, shortly before free agency began. If he’s saying this about Crosby now, it means he’s got reliable information. If the defensive end makes it clear he’d like to go to Chicago, it should make it easier to facilitate a deal. The tricky part, as Allbright mentioned, is the money. Right now, the Bears are still over the salary cap. They’d need to clear up lots of space to fit Crosby’s hefty $35 million cap hit onto the books.

A recent setback may ironically help the Bears there.

That is the sudden retirement of center Drew Dalman. While it is a significant loss for the Bears’ offensive line, it will clear out $10 million in cap space. Together with the expected trade release of Tremaine Edmunds, that will be $25 million. If the Bears were to trade D.J. Moore, as has been speculated for months, that would secure another $16 million. So there are moves they can make to get there, along with restructuring current contracts like Montez Sweat and Joe Thuney.

Better still, the Bears won’t be saddled with those precarious contracts for more than a year. They can cut several guys for significant cap relief in 2027. Maxx Crosby is under contract through 2029, so the Bears would control him for years to come. If he stays healthy, you’re looking at a guy who will give them 10-12 sacks every year. Even more if they find some interior pass rush help. This is a big opportunity for the Bears. It comes down to finding a trade package both teams can live with.

Last year, the Chicago Bears took advantage of the Kansas City Chiefs being in a salary cap crunch by trading for star left guard Joe Thuney. It only cost them a 4th round pick, and Thuney became an All-Pro in 2025, helping the Bears reach the playoffs. Now some are wondering if lightning could strike twice. Lots of the trade buzz around Chicago lately has been centered on Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ superstar pass rusher. However, the price tag to get him is going to be steep. At least one 1st round pick and maybe two. However, an alternative may have just opened up in Minnesota. It appears the Vikings are shopping Jonathan Greenard.

Minnesota signed the pass rusher in 2024, and he immediately made the Pro Bowl with 12 sacks. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury slowed him last season, and now his contract has become too expensive for the cash-strapped Vikings. Greenard has two years left on his deal and turns 29 in May.

This idea is far more appealing to Chicago for two reasons. First, Greenard’s contract is less expensive than Crosby’s would be. Around $16 million less per year. Second, the price tag to get him is far lower, with Minnesota hoping to receive a “day two” pick for him, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. That means a 2nd or 3rd. Far less than Crosby as well.

Jonathan Greenard is the much more sensible pursuit.

The Bears can more easily fit his contract onto their books than Crosby’s. His skill set as a speed rusher also aligns with what they need. With Montez Sweat, they already have their power guy. Greenard would be a perfect complement to him. Look at it this way. Giving up a 2nd round pick might sound steep, but that selection is towards the back end of the round. The Bears would retain their 1st-round pick, allowing them to address another position of need, such as left tackle or defensive tackle. Would you rather gamble on a proven commodity like Greenard or on a 2nd-round offensive or defensive lineman?

Obviously, the question is whether Minnesota would consider trading him to Chicago. They are division rivals, after all. The Vikings made significant deals with Detroit and Green Bay. They swung a deal with the Lions for T.J. Hockenson and then allowed the Packers to move up for Christian Watson in the 2022 draft. Of course, all of that was done with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the general manager. He was fired a few weeks ago. It isn’t known if his replacement would be as open to the idea.

The Bears need to decide how aggressive they want to be.

Drew Dalman’s sudden retirement complicated matters. Suddenly, they have two key offensive line positions to address in addition to defensive tackle and edge rusher. They must be sure a trade for Jonathan Greenard solves one of those problems. If they can somehow get him without giving up a 2nd round pick, that would be a big win. Philadelphia got Jaelan Phillips for a 3rd rounder last year. That feels like the ballpark for what Minnesota can get for Greenard, given his contract and recent injury problem.

This move would allow the Bears to narrow their focus going into the 2026 draft. Their 25th overall pick could go for either a new left tackle or a defensive tackle. The latter would certainly make Chicago’s front look far more imposing than last year. A trio of Greenard, Montez Sweat, and Austin Booker might finally give them a rotation that offenses can’t escape.

The Chicago Bears thought they had finally solved center.

Now they’re back to work.

The official retirement announcement came on Tuesday, confirming that Drew Dalman is stepping away from football at just 27 years old. However, new details reveal this decision wasn’t a surprise inside Halas Hall.

Dalman informed the Bears of his retirement ahead of the open negotiation period on Monday, giving the front office clarity before the market officially opened.

That timing matters.

The Contract

Dalman signed a three-year, $42M deal in March 2025 that included $28M guaranteed and a $6M signing bonus. He played just one season, made the Pro Bowl, earned roughly $34M of that $42M total, and is now retiring.

Good for him.

Tough break for Chicago.

The Bears believed they had found their long-term anchor in the middle, someone to grow with franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.

Instead, they’re pivoting.

The Timing

According to team sources, Dalman made his decision known before the legal tampering window opened. That allowed general manager Ryan Poles and his front office to immediately shift gears.

They’re already exploring the veteran market.

And that’s the key development.

The Plan: Protect Caleb Williams With Experience

Yes, this draft class is deep at center.

But the early preference inside Halas Hall is clear: pair Caleb Williams with a veteran not a rookie.

That approach makes sense.

Williams is entering another critical year in his development. Continuity and communication up front matter. Centers set protections. They make line calls. They handle pressure looks. That’s not a position you casually hand to a rookie if you can avoid it.

Poles has shown he values stability around his quarterback.

This feels like another example.

No Panic

The Bears didn’t want this.

But they weren’t blindsided either.

Because Dalman gave them advance notice, Chicago isn’t operating from desperation. They’re working the market with a plan already in place. They are already hosting free agent center Tyler Biadasz on a visit. The former Commanders starter was recently released and now is available before the frenzy begins.

The draft remains deep at center, but don’t be surprised if Chicago signs a veteran in the coming days to solidify the middle of the offensive line.

The Bears thought they had their guy.

Now they’re making sure Caleb Williams still does.

Just when it seemed like the Chicago Bears were getting their offensive line in order after years of instability, real life slaps them in the face. Drew Dalman, their marquee free agent signing from last year, made his first Pro Bowl at center for the team. Unfortunately, something seems to have affected his life so much that he has decided to retire from the NFL at the age of 27. It isn’t clear what drove the decision, but the typical motivation in such cases is health-related.

Whatever the case may be, this turns the Bears’ entire offseason plan on its head. Most felt the focus of this spring would be securing a possible left tackle to complete the offensive line and retooling the defense. Now, suddenly, the Bears are left with having once again to find a solution at center.

The good news is they may already have a plan in place. Albert Breer of MMQB reported that the team has been sniffing around three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, set to become a free agent after a successful run in Baltimore. He would certainly be the best qualified to replace Dalman.

Drew Dalman leaving hurts. There is no getting around it.

Much of the Bears’ entire offensive plan involved him when they offered that contract last year. Was he contemplating retirement even then? He missed eight games in 2024 with injuries. It’s fair to wonder if the long 2025 season had taxed his body to a point where he wasn’t comfortable continuing. Whatever the case, his exit hangs the Bears out to dry. Now they’re left having to allocate resources to a position they thought was settled. They’re already meeting with veteran Tyler Biadasz, fresh off being released by Washington.

Biadasz has been a solid player throughout most of his career. While nobody would confuse him as one of the premier centers in the league, he would at least give the Bears some stability as they try working through this crisis. The highest-rated center in the NFL draft is Auburn’s Connor Lew. He has that ideal mix of agility, intelligence, and anchor in pass protection. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in October of last year. Chicago would probably have to wait before he’s ready. There is also Logan Jones of Iowa. The Hawkeyes of a long history of excellent offensive line play, and Jones is no exception. He’s undersized but athletic, polished, and absolutely ferocious.

No group is hurt more by the Dalman news than the defense.

It was expected that the Bears would allocate most of their resources this offseason to that side of the ball, hoping to get younger and faster. Now that the two most important positions on the offensive line have been vacated, there is no way head coach Ben Johnson will allow it to stay that way. He and Poles will do everything in their power to secure at least one of those positions, which could require either a lot of money or a top draft pick. The defense may rely mostly on bargain free agents and later picks for the second straight year.

The Bears will have to make some compromises in certain areas, postponing legitimate upgrades at certain positions until a later date. Center must be a priority. It is crucial to Johnson’s entire offensive approach. That is why Drew Dalman was their primary free agent pursuit last season. If they land Linderbaum? Fantastic. That solves the problem. If not, things get trickier.

The Chicago Bears aren’t in a position to go on a spending spree in free agency again. They’re wrapped up in too many difficult contracts. Still, Bears general manager Ryan Poles should be able to create enough space to take at least one calculated swing. It would have to be for somebody who won’t command a huge contract but can still be a big help to the roster. There will be options on that front. It is a question of what head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen want to prioritize.

Insider Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated did a breakdown of the top 50 pending free agents this year, revealing how much they will likely cost and their possible landing spots. The Bears were connected to three of these names. One you’ll know very well. The other two require further exploration.

26. Bryan Cook, S, Chiefs

Projected contract: Three years, $45 million

Potential landing spots: Bears, Steelers

29. Khalil Mack, edge, Chargers

Projected contract: One year, $12 million

Potential landing spots: Bears, Buccaneers, Lions

44. Leo Chenal, LB, Chiefs

Projected contract: Three years, $25 million

Potential landing spots: Bills, Bears

Mack was a star for the Bears from 2018 through 2021 before being traded to the Chargers. Though considerably older at 35, he’s still an effective pass rusher. The Bears need one. As for Cook and Chenal, they require some digging.

The Chicago Bears are looking for more speed.

That was the directive Johnson issued at the start of the offseason. He wants the team to get faster. That is especially true on defense. Chenal definitely checks that box. The linebacker ran a 4.53 in the 40 at his combine, and it shows on tape. He has the range and agility to hang with running backs and tight ends in coverage. The reason you don’t hear about him too often is that he’s only been a part-time defender in Kansas City, playing an average of 45-50% of their snaps over the past three years. Despite that, he still compiled 183 tackles, six sacks, and an interception.

Cook was compared to Julian Blackmon coming out of college, and that has held up pretty well. He’s not the flashiest player in the world, but he’s dependable and versatile. He can handle himself in coverage and does dirty work around the line of scrimmage. What stands out the most is his personality. He’s known for being tough, physical, and a vocal leader. You could call him another Jaquan Brisker type. The appeal is pretty obvious. However, the expected money makes that idea problematic.

Out of the group, one stands above the rest.

Sadly, it’s not Mack. While a reunion would be great, the $12 million price tag isn’t something the Bears can really entertain. The same goes for Cook’s $15 million. That means if the Chicago Bears pursue anybody, it will be Chenal. It makes sense. He’s been itching for a more full-time role. The Bears are expected to unload Tremaine Edmunds within the next week. Noah Sewell is recovering from a season-ending injury. The door is wide open for a new starter to step in. Chenal has what Allen is looking for at that position.

Most importantly, the $8.33 million per year price tag is far more forgiving compared to the other options. The Bears should be able to afford it after making their necessary cap-saving moves. It won’t be a blockbuster addition as, say, a Maxx Crosby would be. That said, Chenal would plug an important hole as the team retools, getting younger and faster. Even the smaller moves count. It will be interesting to see if that is the direction they go or if they pivot to bigger fish.

The Bears-Maxx Crosby smoke just got louder.

The Chicago Bears are now the betting favorites at +200 to land Maxx Crosby, according to DraftKings. When sportsbooks move odds like this, it usually means action is coming in on one side. Right now, that side is Chicago.

That does not guarantee a trade is close. But it does signal growing belief that the Bears are seriously involved.

Las Vegas has real questions to answer. Crosby turns 29 in August. He has had surgery after each of the past two seasons. He is still elite, but the Raiders may be looking at a roster reset and asking if now is the time to cash in.

The betting market thinks Chicago makes sense.

The Cap Reality

Here is the part many fans are not talking about.

For a Maxx Crosby trade to work cap-wise for the Bears, moves would need to follow. Specifically, a trade involving DJ Moore and Tremaine Edmunds.

Trading Moore and Edmunds would free up about $31.5 million in cap space. Crosby’s incoming salary sits at $30 million.

The numbers line up almost exactly. But I am not certain DJ Moore is truly shipped out this off-season.

But those are not small pieces. Moore is a top offensive weapon. Edmunds is a defensive leader. Moving both just to fit Crosby under the cap changes the structure of the roster.

And that is before you factor in the likely cost of two first-round picks.

My Opinion: Chicago Shouldn’t Do This

I understand the appeal. Crosby is a tone-setter. He would instantly elevate the pass rush. Pairing him with Montez Sweat would give the Bears a dangerous front.

But this feels like too much.

Two first-round picks. A $30 million salary. Possibly moving DJ Moore just to make the math work. That is a heavy price for a player entering his age-29 season who has had back-to-back years ending in surgery.

The Bears are building something sustainable. They have been disciplined with draft capital. They have stayed patient. This move would feel like stepping outside that plan. But it could work – that’s why it’s intriguing.

Betting odds are one thing. Team building is another.

If I am Chicago, I pass. Keep the picks. Keep the core. Build through the draft and stay balanced rather than forcing a blockbuster that could limit flexibility for years.

Sometimes the smart move is the one you do not make.

You knew when the rumors surfaced that the Chicago Bears checked in on the availability of Myles Garrett last year that they were very much in the market for a top pass rusher. Of course, that is easy to say. The problem is that such players are incredibly expensive. Bears general manager Ryan Poles would love nothing better than to land a star of that caliber, but he’d prefer not to mortgage the future while doing so. Still, after watching his defense struggle to pressure the quarterback again last season, one has to imagine the team is at least contemplating a move for Maxx Crosby.

The Las Vegas Raiders had another terrible season, and the Pro Bowl defensive end seems to have reached his breaking point. He wants to win. Now with the team facing another long rebuild, it feels like time for the two sides to part ways. Albert Breer of the MMQB reported that Chicago is definitely expressing interest in Crosby. However, they’re facing stiff competition. No fewer than six other teams were named as also in pursuit of the pass rusher, including some notorious heavy hitters.

I’d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week. But there’s going to have to be some needle-threading. I don’t think the Raiders want to go through the song-and-dance of shopping him, nor do I believe Crosby wants it advertised that he’s looking for suitors, given his bond with owner Mark Davis, and his view of himself as a Raider…

…We should know soon enough which path the Raiders are taking, with teams like Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia and the Rams keeping tabs on his availability.

The Bears likely don’t have the stomach for a Maxx Crosby fight.

While six teams having interest in him is no shock, the two that should concern the Bears are the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. No team has earned a reputation for blockbuster trades over the past decade than L.A. Since 2017, they have conducted six trades in which they gave up at least a 2nd round pick for a player they coveted. There were three instances in which they included at least one 1st-round pick (Brandin Cooks, Matthew Stafford, and Jalen Ramsey). The Rams have two 1st round picks in the draft this year. They have more than enough ammo to make the deal.

Meanwhile, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is the best wheeler-dealer in the NFL today. Nobody is better at working the phones for trades, often getting good players at great value or great value for good players. If Roseman is involved in this, you can bet he is putting all of his expertise into maneuvering his way into the pole position for Maxx Crosby. A chance to pair him with Jalen Carter and the emerging Jalyx Hunt is an opportunity he won’t pass up.

This Bears regime doesn’t operate on home run swings.

Poles made that clear from the moment he took over. While blockbuster deals are a great way to generate excitement, they don’t often make it easy to sustain a contending window. That is done through consistently good drafting with high picks. It probably isn’t a coincidence that the 2010s were the worst decade of Bears football, maybe ever. It was characterized by two massive trades: the one for Jay Cutler in 2009 and another for Khalil Mack in 2018. Those deals cost the team four 1st round picks. How much of a difference would those have made if the team had kept them?

Maxx Crosby is an outstanding football player. He will instantly improve any defense he joins. However, the price tag for him will be steep. Most believe it will take at least a 1st round pick and a day two pick. It might even get up to two 1st round picks. In such a scenario, the Bears can’t be expected to stay involved. They don’t have the capital to afford such a move, especially with several other issues on the roster to address.