The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles could be among the more active teams looking for pass rush help this offseason.
After all, Montez Sweat produced 10 sacks this past season, his first playing in coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, but the veteran edge presence represented nearly a third of Chicago’s 35 sacks as a team.
While Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek sounded intent on trying to keep Maxx Crosby, during his media appearance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the All-Pro pass rusher has said he wants out, and could become one of the most coveted players at the position in the weeks ahead.
Trading for Maxx Crosby would cost a huge price for Chicago Bears
Throughout the early stages of this offseason, the Bears have been linked to Crosby as one of the top potential fits and destinations, despite Chicago currently sitting upwards of $5.3 million over the salary cap.
According to one NFL executive, any team trading for Crosby may have to pay a steep, steep asking price.
“If I were the Raiders,” a former NFL general manager and current front office executive tells Between The Hashmarks, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about a player on another team. “The asking price would start at two first-round picks. Especially because the contract he has left is a pretty good deal.
“Then, I would let teams respond, but I would start with a high asking price and negotiate from there.”
Crosby, 28, posted 10 sacks last season and has 69.5 to date through the first seven seasons of his NFL career.
The asking price the former general manager outlines is similar to the package the Green Bay Packers sent the Dallas Cowboys (two first-round picks and defensive lineman Kenny Clark) in exchange for All-Pro Micah Parsons.
As the Bears navigate their tightest cap situation in years, Poles must decide if one blue-chip game-wrecker is worth more than the depth he could build through the draft and free agency. Whether they pivot to a blockbuster trade or stick to their homegrown blueprint, the choice made in the coming weeks will define the identity of Chicago’s defense for the Ben Johnson era.
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