Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 28: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears smiles at Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears held their end-of-season press conference, with head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles addressing the media on Wednesday, January 21st.
Johnson and Poles answered questions regarding the season, and one question in particular is stirring up the offseason trade drama. During Poles’ press conference, he was asked if Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby was a possible trade option for the Bears, and he shared a telling expression.
Ryan Poles Shared A Telling Expression When Asked About Maxx Crosby
GettyGeneral Manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field.
Poles smirked and replied with “I don’t know” when asked about Crosby. Obviously, he’s not going to say something like, “Oh yeah, Crosby is on the top of our trade targets,” but not immediately dismissing the question and saying he isn’t an option is also very telling.
It’s no secret that Crosby is a fan of the Bears. During an episode on Crosby’s podcast, The Rush With Maxx, he gave his flowers to Ben Johnson.
“He’s [Ben Johnson] one of the best in the league. One of the best play callers without a doubt,” Crosby said. “He does an incredible job in all facets of offense, you know what I mean? Like the run game to the pass game to the trickeration. He’s really got all that.”
After the game vs. the Bears in Week 4, Crosby also acknowledged Caleb Williams as a competitor after Williams said Crosby is “probably the best player I’ve ever played against so far in my career.
“Hearing that from a really good player is cool,” Crosby said. “Our matchup was, I mean, all day. All day we were going back and forth and he’s a competitor bro. I’ll give it to him. He definitely earned my respect.”
Williams even liked a photo of Crosby photoshopped in a Bears uniform.
He’ll definitely be happy in Chicago, but the bigger problem is whether Las Vegas would be willing to trade him. And if yes, at what cost?
More on a Potential Crosby Trade
When asked if Crosby was “untradeable,” Raiders GM John Spytek didn’t dismiss the question and instead gave his thoughts on what Crosby means to Las Vegas.
“I have a lot of respect for Maxx and how much he loves to play the game. I’ve had the opportunity over the last several weeks to spend a lot of time with Maxx…I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is. I’ve been pretty up front about that from the day that I sat up here almost a year ago. I continue to believe that.”
How can you not love Crosby? He consistently gives his all on the field and is one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. But where the Raiders are right now, it’s similar to when the Bears traded Khalil Mack away.
Now, few people know Spytek and Poles’ true intentions when it comes to Crosby, but to say there’s no chance the Bears can pull off a trade for Crosby is unfair.
If there’s a framework for a potential Crosby trade, it could be the following:
Raiders receive:
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2027 fourth-round pick
- WR DJ Moore
Bears receive:
Chicago lands a superstar pass rusher, while the Raiders gain draft capital and a weapon for projected No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. More about Isaac Zuniga
More Heavy on Bears
Loading more stories
