The Chicago Bears dropped a 59-point bomb on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, but somehow, that wasn’t the biggest headline. Nope, the real shocker? Their defense let the Panthers put up a jaw-dropping 37 points! Talk about a brutal trade-off. For all the offensive firepower they showed, that defense was, to put it mildly, exceptionally terrible. If the Bears want any shot at playoff success this year, improving that side of the ball is absolutely paramount. You simply cannot expect to compete when your defense is bleeding points like that.
Defense Is A Disaster, And A Trade Is Key
You can’t win consistently in this league giving up nearly 40 points a game, no matter how explosive your offense becomes. It’s a cold, hard truth of the NFL. It’s clear as day that some serious upgrades are needed on that defensive unit, and frankly, those will likely have to come through a trade or two to make an immediate impact. The edge rusher spot, in particular, is a glaring hole, a place where a difference maker could completely change the dynamic. Naturally, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox threw out a massive, game-changing name as a potential target: Maxx Crosby. Who wouldn’t salivate at the thought of a guy with 71 career sacks anchoring their defensive line, right? Knox even named the Dallas Cowboys as another potential suitor, and apparently, both teams were sniffing around Crosby in the offseason, trying to gauge if he was available.
The Maxx Crosby Dream Is Dead
Here’s where the dream of defensive salvation gets absolutely crushed, and it’s a gut punch for any team hoping to land him. As exciting as the thought of Crosby wreaking havoc for a needy defense sounds, there’s just no chance he’s getting traded this season. None. Zero. Remember that whole saga from the offseason where he was reportedly traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a couple of first-round picks? Yeah, that deal fell through, but it sent a clear message: that moment of almost leaving Las Vegas made Crosby want to stick with the Raiders more than ever. All the signals are pointing in one direction: the Raiders are keeping their star edge rusher. He’s clearly part of their long-term vision, a foundational piece they won’t move, and he’s not going anywhere before the trade deadline. Crosby isn’t just a name either, he’s already racked up 1.5 sacks in just one game this 2026 season, proving he’s still absolutely dominant and a force to be reckoned with.
So, What Now For The Bears?
So, while Kristopher Knox might have linked the Bears to Maxx Crosby as a potential trade target, and it makes all the sense in the world on paper to go after such a proven commodity, Chicago fans are going to have to look elsewhere. Maxx Crosby is staying put with the Raiders, plain and simple, and that means the Bears have no chance, absolutely no chance, of acquiring him this year. Their defense desperately needs pass-rushing help, and fast, especially after that Week 1 showing. But it’s not going to come from the 71-sack monster. They’ll have to find another solution to shore up that leaky D if they truly want to contend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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