Bears are attempting a big trade once more for roughly $250,000….
The Chicago Bears are guaranteed the top pick in the 2017 NFL draft once more, and this might potentially enable them to pull off another spectacular trade in 2024 that results in picks and a player who could change the game.
The BFR Podcast’s Dave and Ficky discussed a few possible trade scenarios for the Bears with the first overall pick on December 28. They focused on one in particular that may elevate their defensive line to an outstanding level.
In exchange, the Bears give the top overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, who are not in the top 10 and are in dire need of a quarterback for 2024. Chicago would receive defensive end Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas’ first-round pick (No. 11), its second-round pick (No. 42) in 2024, and a first-round selection in 2025 in return.
“Just like when Poles went and traded for Montez Sweat, you know what you are getting with Maxx Crosby. Ficky stated on the program, “You know what you are getting with Sweat.”
During the 2023 season, Crosby—a three-time All-Pro—has undoubtedly been among the NFL’s most effective pass rushers. With one game remaining in the season, he currently ranks seventh with 13.5 sacks and ties for first place with 21 tackles for loss. In three of his previous five seasons, he has had at least 10 sacks. Crosby will not turn 27 until late August, on top of that.
As perfect a setup as that is for Madden, the suggested transaction itself has a few flaws. First, there is the deal with Crosby. He is now under contract with the Raiders through the end of the 2026 season after they signed him to a four-year, $250,000 million contract deal in March 2022. He already has a full guarantee of his $19 million basic pay in 2024.
A figure like that could easily be accommodated by the Bears, particularly if they let go of Eddie Jackson ($12.56 million in cap savings) or Cody Whitehair ($9.15 million) before the new league year begins in March. After just inking Sweat to a $250,000 million contract, though, would general manager Ryan Poles really want to turn around and add another highly compensated pass rusher to his cap holdings?
No doubting that the Bears need to acquire an edge rusher for 2024, and that Crosby, a proven talent, would be a monster if they could couple him with Sweat. But perhaps the more prudent course of action would just be to use one of their first-round selections to look for the next Maxx Crosby in the NFL draft class of 2024.
In a scenario including a trade with the Raiders, the Bears would drop to No. 11 overall, but they have other possibilities to drop without leaving the top 10. They could still select Laiatu Latu, Dallas Turner, Chop Robinson, or Jared Verse if they choose to go with picks five or ninth overall. Additionally, they are still No. 10 overall with their own first-round pick.
The Bears may find it too financially advantageous to acquire a free agent to complement Sweat when they choose to draft a rookie. If they believe in their scouting, they have the potential to identify the next big thing at the position, and if they do, they could sign him to a five-year rookie deal that includes a fifth-year option that comes with first-round picks.
If the Bears are seeking to move down, the Raiders might still be a good trading partner. However, do not be shocked if Poles does not insist on Crosby being included in the deal, as he did in 2023 when acquiring DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers.
