LAS VEGAS — The Chicago Bears’ front office might need to delete a contact from their speed dial this morning. After weeks of rampant Maxx Crosby trade rumors suggesting the pass rusher was destined for the Windy City, new Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak didn’t just pour coffee at his introductory press conference Tuesday—he poured ice-cold water on the idea of dealing his best player.
Crosby’s future in Vegas has been the NFL’s loudest storyline since late December 2025, when the former regime shut him down for the final two games to preserve his health—a move that led to Crosby storming out of the facility. But if anyone thought that friction would grease the wheels for a trade to Chicago, Kubiak slammed the door shut.
The Coffee Summit
Kubiak, hired to fix a Raiders offense that sputtered through 2025, made his first order of business clear: repair the relationship with “The Condor.”
“I got to drink a cup of coffee with Maxx this morning. Loved talking ball with him and look forward to continuing those conversations. He was the first one in here working out this morning, so that fired me up.” — Klint Kubiak, Raiders Head Coach
Kubiak didn’t stop at pleasantries. When pressed on whether the Raiders would move Crosby to stockpile draft picks for a rebuild, he was blunt.
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward. There’s no doubt about that,” Kubiak said. “He’s one of the best players in the NFL, so that’s a no-brainer to get to work with Maxx and to see him continue to have success with his organization.”
Why the Math Doesn’t Work for Chicago
Chicago GM Ryan Poles loves elite talent, but he hates bad contracts. While the idea of pairing Crosby with Montez Sweat sounds like a cheat code on paper, the financial reality is a nightmare.
Crosby turns 29 in August. He’s coming off a 10-sack season that proved he’s still a force, but his price tag is astronomical. Acquiring him would require the Bears to absorb a cap hit hovering around $30 million for 2026 alone, with similar figures for the next three years.
Look at Chicago’s current books. They are already heavy on defensive line spending:
- Montez Sweat: $25.08 million cap hit
- Dayo Odeyingbo: $20.5 million cap hit
- Grady Jarrett: $18.93 million cap hit
Adding Crosby would tie up nearly $95 million in just four defensive linemen. For a team that still has offensive holes to fill, that is roster malpractice.
The Draft Capital Hurdle
Beyond the money, there is the trade compensation. Raiders ownership knows Crosby is the face of the franchise. The starting bid rumors sit at two first-round picks.
Ryan Poles watched his predecessor, Ryan Pace, cripple the franchise by trading away future assets for veterans like Khalil Mack. Poles has built this roster by hoarding picks, not burning them. With a deep defensive line class in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Chicago is far more likely to spend a Day 2 pick on a rookie pass rusher who costs $1.5 million against the cap than trade the farm for a veteran costing 20 times that amount.
What’s Next?
Expect the Bears to pivot. The free-agent market still holds intriguing names like Trey Hendrickson who could offer short-term punch at a lower cost. Meanwhile, Crosby looks set to anchor Kubiak’s defense in Vegas, assuming the “coffee summit” was as productive as the coach claims. The trade machine fantasies were fun while they lasted, but for now, Maxx Crosby isn’t going anywhere.
