Trade discussions involving Las Vegas Raiders’ standout pass rusher Maxx Crosby have intensified, with ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposing a potential deal on February 16 that would send Crosby to the Chicago Bears. According to Barnwell, the Raiders would receive wide receiver DJ Moore alongside a 2026 first-round pick, while Crosby and a 2027 fifth-round selection would head to Chicago. This suggested trade has stirred debate about whether the Raiders are getting equal value for Crosby, especially given his impact on the field.
Experts Question If Raiders Could Secure a Better Return
Chicago Sports Network analyst Clay Harbor weighed in on February 18, offering a cautious perspective on the Raiders’ negotiating position. Harbor expressed skepticism that Las Vegas could match the kind of return Dallas secured when trading star linebacker Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Highlighting Crosby’s career achievements compared to Parsons’, Harbor noted that Crosby has yet to reach top-tier accolades such as a top-four Defensive Player of the Year finish or First-Team All-Pro honors.
I don’t think they’re going to get the Micah Parsons deal,
Harbor said.
“Micah Parsons was 26. He was coming off three top-three finishes as Defensive Player of the Year. Crosby has never once finished in the top four. He’s never been a First-Team All-Pro.”
?Clay Harbor, Chicago Sports Network
I think Crosby is great. You can look at what he does. He’s a guy that they have to double-team all the time. We always have to plan to stop him, but he is not Micah Parsons. I don’t think quite D.J. Moore and a fifth and a first would be enough to get this trade done.
?Clay Harbor, Chicago Sports Network
Bears Urged to Consider Proposed Crosby Deal Quickly
Meanwhile, Bears analyst David Haugh encouraged Chicago to act fast if they want to land Crosby under the terms Barnwell suggested. Reflecting on the potential impact of acquiring a premier edge rusher, Haugh emphasized that the cost in DJ Moore and draft picks would be manageable for the Bears’ roster construction and ambitions.
If this is the deal on the table, the Bears can’t say yes soon enough because it isn’t giving up that much,
Haugh remarked. “This year’s one where you’re looking for an edge rusher and D.J. Moore, who has a whopping salary.
But that would obviously be a sacrifice you’d be willing to make for Maxx Crosby coming back, or at least I would. If this were the deal, if these were the terms, yes, absolutely. This would be a steal for the Bears, I believe.
?David Haugh, Bears Analyst
Raiders Face Challenges in Retaining Maxx Crosby
On February 13, The Athletic’s Dave Helman offered a candid assessment of the Raiders’ situation with Crosby during an episode of The Athletic Show. Helman suggested that much depends on how well Raiders’ leadership, especially Klint, can persuade Crosby to commit to the team’s future plans, including their pursuit of the number one overall pick. Helman mentioned the recent drafting of Fernando Mendoza as a possible factor in convincing Crosby to stay, yet noted the strained end to Crosby’s previous season.
It really feels like it’s going to come down to how good a job Klint can do selling Crosby on his vision for the Raiders and having a pathway to the No. 1 overall pick,
Helman explained. “Drafting Fernando Mendoza may go a long way toward selling Crosby that he wants to be here for this. But it doesn’t feel that easy to me, like with the way they shut him down at the end of the season and how unhappy he clearly was about that.
The amount of speculation that’s already been in place—really for like two years at this point—feels like it’s on Crosby to say, ‘All right, no, I see the vision, and I’m here for this, or yeah, this is the time.’ It makes sense with the contract. It makes sense where he is in his career. He’s still firmly in his prime, but it’s getting to the point where how many more years can you count on that?
?Dave Helman, The Athletic
What This Could Mean for the Raiders and the NFL Landscape
The ongoing trade speculation surrounding Maxx Crosby places the Raiders at a critical crossroads, balancing the potential loss of a key defensive playmaker against the value of high-profile returns like DJ Moore and prime draft picks. As the team navigates this uncertainty, their ability to retain Crosby hinges not only on contract negotiations but also on convincing him to buy into the franchise’s strategic vision. For the Bears, acquiring Crosby would bolster a pass rush that has been seeking a dynamic edge rusher, potentially altering their defensive profile significantly.
As discussions continue, all eyes will be on the Raiders’ front office and coaching staff, who face the difficult task of managing player expectations, team performance goals, and the long-term direction of the franchise. Whether Crosby remains in Las Vegas or moves to Chicago will have lasting implications on both squads and could shift dynamics within the NFL’s competitive landscape.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested a trade scenario for the Bears to land Maxx Crosby:
Bears get: Maxx Crosby, 2027 fifth-round pick
Raiders get: WR DJ Moore, 2026 first-round pick
Is that a realistic asking price for the star edge rusher? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hi8xk6XOtE
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) February 18, 2026
