March 3, 2026, 9:14 p.m. CT

The new league year is quickly approaching, and the trade rumors surrounding Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby have not calmed down. Over the last few years, NFL insiders and fans alike have been connecting dots as to where Crosby may end up if he does get traded away from the Raiders with as many as eight teams linked to him. We may now have an idea of where he wants to go.

As the Crosby trade discourse continued to take place on social media, NFL insider Benjamin Allbright revealed Crosby’s preferred choice would be a trade to the Chicago Bears. While answering questions to a fan on X, Allbright stated Crosby would become a Bear if he had the choice. “The Bears would be his preferred destination if he got to pick although I don’t know how they’d make the economics work there,” Allbright said when asked which teams are considered the favorites to land Crosby. In a follow-up reply, Allbright said the compensation would have to be multiple first-round picks and a player, which is consistent with what the Raiders have been asking for in trade talks.

The revelation that Crosby wants to play for the Bears isn’t much of a surprise. The Pro Bowl pass rusher has had an affinity for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and talked at length with him for his podcast a couple of weeks ago. The two discussed the culture the new Bears coaching staff instilled, and Crosby fits what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants in an edge rusher. The question, though, is whether or not the Bears would be willing to put together the necessary assets in a trade.

The Raiders are looking for a premium package for Crosby, and the price may be too steep for the Bears. It’s possible Chicago tries to put a package together that consists of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and/or wide receiver DJ Moore, who both could be on the move this offseason. The Bears would also likely need to part with their 2026 first-round pick.

Upgrading the pass rush is of high importance for Bears general manager Ryan Poles, and Crosby would elevate the entire defense. The five-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season in which he totaled 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 15 games. It sounds like he wants to be a Bear next season, but we’ll see if a trade ends up materializing.

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