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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 28: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
The Maxx Crosby buzz is getting louder by the hour, and the Chicago Bears have officially emerged as the favorite to land the superstar pass rusher.
But while fans debate draft compensation and defensive fit, one league insider cut straight to the financial reality of what it would actually take to pull a blockbuster trade off.
As Ben Devine noted, “For a Maxx Crosby trade to work cap-wise for the Chicago Bears, a trade must be facilitated for DJ Moore and Tremaine Edmunds. Trading Moore and Edmunds frees $31.5 million of cap space. Maxx Crosby incoming salary is $30 million.”
This is not speculation about scheme or fit. It is the financial reality that would have to unfold for the deal to even be discussed seriously. And it highlights two major hurdles Chicago would need to clear before a trade becomes realistic.
Bears Would Likely Have to Move DJ Moore’s Contract
Moore carries a team-high cap hit and is scheduled to count heavily against the books in 2026. Moving him would reportedly free up roughly $24.5 million in cap space.
This is the single biggest lever the Bears can realistically pull this offseason.
The challenge is obvious. Moore has been a leader in the locker room and one of the emotional pillars of the Bears’ rebuild. He has been there through the difficult seasons and has helped stabilize the offense when the team was searching for direction.
Moving him would not simply be a cap decision. It would mean parting with a foundational piece who has been there through the growing pains.
There is also the question of market value. While some around the league believe Chicago could secure Day 2 draft compensation, Moore’s contract complicates things. The Bears might have to absorb part of the money to facilitate a deal, which slightly reduces the clean cap relief.
Still, without moving Moore, absorbing Crosby’s $30 million salary would make a potential trade nearly impossible.
Bears Would Also Have to Move Tremaine Edmunds
The second domino is Tremaine Edmunds. The Bears have already granted him permission to seek a trade, and his $15 million in potential cap relief makes him a logical candidate.
Unlike Moore, Edmunds plays a position where Chicago may feel more comfortable reallocating resources. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported there is legitimate trade value and a decent chance he is dealt. If a partner emerges, the Bears could combine Edmunds’ savings with Moore’s to generate the $31.5 million Devine referenced.
That number matters because Crosby is set to count about $30 million against the cap. The margin is thin, and there is little room for error.
Simply put, this is not a scenario where Chicago can swap multiple first-round picks and just plug Crosby in. It would require two significant roster moves and the willingness to part with foundational players.
If both of these moves happen, a deal becomes very feasible. Create the space by moving Moore and Edmunds, and the financial path to acquiring Crosby suddenly opens.
That is exactly why Chicago has surged to become the betting favorite to land him.
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