As the NFL offseason progresses, rumors about the potential trade of Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders are intensifying. With several teams showing interest, Crosby has become one of the most sought-after defensive pass rushers available, stirring speculation about his future in the league.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted on February 7 that numerous franchises have expressed serious curiosity about acquiring Crosby. Fowler stated,
“The reality is the Raiders are still far away from significant winning, and the trade interest in Crosby is incredibly robust,”
adding,
“In fact, I believe more than a dozen teams, possibly up to 20, will at least inquire with levels of serious intent.”
Among those potential suitors are strong playoff contenders like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Ravens. Fowler also noted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a less traditional but ideal candidate, suggesting such a move could push Tampa Bay into championship contention.
Still, the core question remains whether these teams can assemble a trade package valuable enough to persuade the Raiders to part with their star defender. Amid this buzz, the Chicago Bears have not been publicly identified as frontrunners in the pursuit of Crosby.
Financial Challenges May Limit Chicago Bears’ Involvement
Anthony Herron from the Big Ten Network, speaking on Chicago’s 104.3 The Score, expressed skepticism regarding the Bears’ capacity to engage in a trade for Crosby, primarily due to salary cap restrictions. Herron remarked on February 9,
“My concern is how much of your cap space, by percentage, can you continue to invest in the defensive front to go get someone like Maxx Crosby?”
He further explained,
“The amount of financial wherewithal that you would now have invested into the D-line, to me, seems like it negates that potential.”
Herron compared the situation to past trade demands by players like Myles Garrett, noting,
“Whether you’re talking Maxx Crosby or even when Myles Garrett was demanding a trade, there are certain names that have a dollar value that, to me, is likely beyond where the Bears can go with their current D-line situation.”
This viewpoint suggests that the Bears’ current defensive lineup and budgetary commitments make acquiring Crosby unlikely.
Insider Reports Describe Tense Interactions Between Crosby and Raiders Leadership
Adding to the narrative, Jason La Canfora from SportsBoom.com shared new insights regarding Crosby’s relationship with the Raiders. According to an unnamed general manager, Crosby conveyed to Tom Brady his unwillingness to continue playing for the team.
The general manager revealed,
“He told Tom Brady he will never play for the Raiders again,”
continuing,
“That’s a fact. He told them he’ll retire before he ever plays for them again. But I’m not sure they’re actually going to trade him. Myles Garrett said the same thing last year, and we know how that ended up.”
This statement echoes previous instances where star players expressed trade demands but outcomes involved protracted negotiations.
Maxx Crosby Addresses Trade Rumors During Recent Interview
Despite mounting speculation, Crosby himself addressed the rumors during a February 6 appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. He emphasized his preference to remain silent on trade discussions, reflecting on past experiences where being outspoken did not yield positive results.
Crosby explained,
“It’s funny, I’m glad you brought it up, because it’s like, damn if you do, damn if you don’t. For me, in the past, I’ve learned that being too vocal and too involved with trying to make, I want this coach, or I want this. I’ve learned my lessons, and I’ve learned from that. That’s not my job…”
He also remarked,
“But you can’t control everything. I’ve learned that. Now that I’m quiet, now I’ve got random people making big statements for me. They’re like, ‘Oh, Maxx must have told them this.’ For me, I just sit back and laugh, because I know my truth. When I go to bed at night, I have a smile on my face because I don’t have to explain nothing to nobody.”
What the Future Holds for Maxx Crosby and the Raiders
The growing trade speculation around Maxx Crosby underscores the challenges the Raiders face in building a competitive team. While multiple NFL franchises have shown interest, financial constraints and the Raiders’ asking price complicate potential deals. Crosby’s reported resistance to playing further for Las Vegas adds pressure on management to make a timely decision.
For the Raiders, navigating this situation will impact their defensive lineup and overall trajectory in upcoming seasons. Meanwhile, teams like the Bills, Lions, and Buccaneers could significantly strengthen their pass rush if they manage to secure Crosby’s talents. As the NFL offseason progresses, the evolving dynamics of this potential trade will remain a key storyline in league discussions.
Would Maxx Crosby be worth the cost for the Bears? pic.twitter.com/wkKpnfdyhS
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) February 9, 2026
"I try not to address certain things because no matter what someone is going to pick it apart… I'll let people do their talking, all I'm about is my actions."@colincowherd talks with @Raiders DE @CrosbyMaxx about where he stands with the organization pic.twitter.com/OHF0JnMMDj
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 6, 2026
