The NFL offseason “slow period” is officially over for Chicago Bears fans. Quarterback Caleb Williams has ignited a firestorm of trade speculation following a high-profile appearance on Maxx Crosby’s podcast, The Rush.
While the Bears are coming off a deep run to the Divisional Round, the consensus around the league is that Chicago is one elite defensive piece away from true contention.
A potential trade for Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders’ cornerstone pass rusher, would provide exactly that, and Williams’ recent interaction with the All-Pro has many wondering if a move is already in the works.
In a promotional teaser for the episode, Williams didn’t hold back when discussing the culture he’s building in Chicago.
Williams and Crosby’s “winning” conversation
“Winning is the best feeling in the world,” Williams told Crosby.
The benefits of being able to go out there and win games, feeling confident. The guys, believing.
While the conversation appeared to be a standard meeting of two of the league’s biggest stars, the timing is impossible to ignore. With the Raiders reportedly entering an “organization reset,” Crosby has become the subject of frequent trade rumors.
Seeing him share a mic with the face of the Bears franchise has turned “offseason noise” into a full-blown narrative.
For the Bears, acquiring a player of Crosby’s caliber isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity based on last season’s metrics. Despite their playoff success, the Chicago defense struggled significantly in several key areas:
- Total Yards Allowed: 29th (361.8 per game)
- Rushing Yards Allowed: 27th (134.5 per game)
- Points Allowed: 23rd (24.4 per game)
- Passing Yards Allowed: 22nd (227.2 per game)
Pairing Crosby with Montez Sweat would immediately transform Chicago’s front four into one of the most feared units in the NFL.
The Crosby Factor
Actually prying Crosby away from Las Vegas will require a massive haul. Since entering the league in 2019, Crosby has been a model of consistency and dominance, racking up:
- 439 tackles
- 164 quarterback hits
- 69.5 sacks
- 5 consecutive Pro Bowl selections
While the Raiders likely have “grand ideas” of keeping their defensive leader, the lure of joining a rising contender like Chicago-and the evident chemistry with Williams-might be enough to sway the veteran’s preference.
As the league prepares for the heavy lifting of the offseason, all eyes remain on whether this podcast appearance was a simple interview or a precursor to the biggest trade of 2026.
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