Speculation around Maxx Crosby and the Chicago Bears has never fully cooled, but recent comments from the Raiders edge rusher have poured new fuel on the conversation.
Chicago is coming off one of the most dramatic wins in franchise history, rallying past Green Bay after a massive halftime deficit.
Maxx Crosby’s post raises questions about Raiders injury call
While the comeback itself turned heads across the league, Crosby‘s public admiration for Bears head coach Ben Johnson quickly became a secondary storyline that fans latched onto.
Speaking on The Rush Podcast, Crosby did not hold back when discussing Johnson‘s offensive mind.
“He’s one of the best in the league. One of the best play callers without a doubt. He does an incredible job in all facets of offense. The run game to the pass game to the trickeration, he’s really got all that. Somebody I respect a lot. Can’t really say a lot of bad things about him. Every time we go out there against an offense led by him, you gotta be on your shit,” Crosby said.
“You do your best because he’s gonna make it difficult. Yeah, I respect the hell out of him.”
On the surface, it sounded like a veteran defender simply giving credit where it is due. In Chicago, however, the timing made those words feel heavier.
Why Chicago keeps coming up
The Bears are suddenly viewed as legitimate contenders, with a roster that feels close to complete. One area still drawing scrutiny is the pass rush. Chicago ranks near the bottom of the league in sacks, and while Montez Sweat and Austin Booker have flashed, neither fits the mold of a dominant, game wrecking edge defender.
Crosby does. That reality alone keeps his name connected to Chicago whenever uncertainty surrounds Las Vegas.
That uncertainty has grown quietly. Earlier in the season, trade chatter briefly surfaced before being shut down publicly.
Later, tension became more visible when Crosby was held out of the Raiders‘ final games despite wanting to play, leading to a short absence from the facility.
League insiders have since suggested that Las Vegas could listen to offers if the relationship stalls.
Crosby, for his part, has been clear about his loyalty.
“Come on bro, you know where I want to be. You think I want to be anywhere else? No. I got this s*** tatted on my body. I don’t want to go anywhere. It is just funny. You’ve got a lot of people that have a lot to say when they really don’t know what’s going on,” he said last season.
Contractually, a move would not be impossible, even if it feels unlikely today.
For now, Crosby‘s respect for Johnson may be nothing more than honesty. Or it may be the kind of comment that keeps Bears fans dreaming well into the 2026 offseason.
