The Chicago Bears burst onto the scene in 2025 and won 11 games, shockingly winning the NFC North, but if you dug a bit deeper into this team, there were some major issues, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Besides quarterback Caleb Williams simply needing to complete a higher percentage of his passes, Dennis Allen's unit left a bit to be desired.
Not only was the pass rush a bit nonexistent, but the run defense was also largely poor. If Chicago hopes to take that next step and perhaps make a Super Bowl push in 2026 and beyond, General Manager Ryan Poles will have to aggressively fill some roster needs this offseason.
And there might not be a more aggressive move right now than to swing a major trade for Maxx Crosby, the Las Vegas Raiders disgruntled star. Let's dive into a Bears mock draft with a Crosby trade at the center of it all.
Updated Chicago Bears mock draft features a wild trade for Maxx Crosby
Bears trade pick 25 and 2027 2nd-Round Pick to Raiders for Maxx Crosby
There is just no chance, in my eyes, that the Bears would keep their first-round pick this year in a trade for Crosby. Chicago might not have to give up two first-round picks, as Crosby plays a ton of snaps and is slowly approaching 30 years old, but a first and second-round pick feels fair for the stud.
Chicago instantly gets a top-tier pass-rusher and is someone who is also quite strong against the run. They would have to do some cap gymnastics to make this trade happen, as Crosby has a big contract and the Bears don't have much wiggle room. Trading both DJ Moore and Tremaine Edmunds would likely have to happen to free up enough space to swing this move.
But Chicago, in this specific trade package, would get to keep their first-round pick in 2027, which is a huge win. If the Bears can pull this off, it could thurst them atop the NFC for the next couple of seasons.
57. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Jake Golday is an explosive player and someone who could essentially step in for the Bears when/if they trade Edmunds, which feels inevitable at this point. Golday could actually go a lot earlier than this despite 2026 being a rather deep linebacker class.
Golday jumped 39 inches in the vertical and ran a solid 4.62 forty-yard dash time, so the raw athleticism is there, and that is one thing you absolutely cannot teach anyone.
89. Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
It's actually a bit scary when you look at the Bears free agents at safety, as all of Kevin Byard, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Jaquan Brisker, and Jaylon Jones are set to hit the open market. I do believe Chicago would work to re-sign someone like Gardner-Johnson at least, but Chicago has to add to this position.
Genesis Smith has 14 career passes defended and five interceptions, so he does have a ball-hawking gene that Allen has clearly valued in his defensive backs. I'd personally not be shocked if Chicago added multiple players in the secondary in the NFL Draft.
129. Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
Again looking to the defensive line for some help, the Bears keep their foot on the gas here and snag Anthony Lucas from USC. Even with as impactful as a Crosby addition could be, there are still some rough edges to be sanded out. In 2025, Lucas had three sacks for the Trojans.
164. Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
Tristan Leigh is a legitimate tackle prospect from Clemson, and wth Ozzy Trapilo's major injury, the Bears all of a sudden have a pretty sizeable hole on the left side of the offensive line. It's clear that when Ben Johnson arrived, the offensive line became a huge focus, as they overhauled the interior immediately with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson.
The same might be done to the left tackle spot this offseason, so I'd also not be surprised if a free agency signing was made here.
238. Romello Brinson, WR, SMU
The Bears could also look to bolster the receiver room with the possibility that Moore gets traded. Chicago hones in on Romello Brinson from SMU at pick 238.
240. Jamarion Miller, RB, Alabama
Chicago finishes up this mock draft with Jamarion Miller from Alabama and adds some depth to the running back room. Miller's production dipped in 2025, and he actually averaged fewer than four yards per carry, so his draft stock has taken a hit.
All in all, this would be a sizeable haul for the Bears. The possibility of getting Crosby in a major trade would be a seismic shift in the NFC for the next few seasons, and the team's front office might truly think that the time is now for a move like this.