Intel: Bears’ Maxx Crosby Trade Offer Leaks, Hinting One Starter Could Soon Be Out
The Chicago Bears explored the Maxx Crosby path extensively over the past few weeks. For a time, it felt like they had a reasonable shot of making it happen. However, as is often the case in situations like this, the price tag grew to a point where the team couldn’t justify it. As a result, the Baltimore Ravens became the big winners of the sweepstakes, handing the Las Vegas Raiders two 1st round picks in exchange for the star pass rusher. That was never a price Bears general manager Ryan Poles was going to pay. So that begs the question.
What was he willing to offer?
SM received new information from people close to the organization. The package involved was as follows:
- The 25th pick this year
- A 4th round pick
- CB Tyrique Stevenson
Essentially, that works out to a 1st round pick and the equivalent value of a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Chicago wasn’t willing to go over the top with another 1st rounder. Yet the big story is that they put Stevenson in the offer. That is a glaring indication that the star of the young cornerback has dimmed considerably in the organization. In truth, the warning signs were already there last season.
Putting Stevenson in the Maxx Crosby offer makes sense.
After all, the Bears had already begun phasing the former 2nd round pick out of the defense last season. Things started normally. Through the first eight games of 2025, Stevenson played 91% of the defensive snaps. His forced fumble against Dallas is viewed by many as a play that changed the season. However, after Jaylon Johnson returned from his extended stint on Injured Reserve, Stevenson saw his snaps drop as the team chose to go with Nahshon Wright and Johnson as the primary duo. He played just 39.6% of the snaps over the next five games and then was benched outright until the playoffs.
The indicators were there even before Maxx Crosby became available. Dennis Allen and his defensive staff didn’t see much of a future with Stevenson in the lineup. It isn’t overly surprising. The cornerback was a holdover from the Matt Eberflus era, and he has a reputation for undisciplined play. Part of the reason he was benched was his unreliability in zone coverage, a constant issue since being drafted. Allen and defensive backs coach Al Harris like athletic ballhawks at that position.
The Bears could move Stevenson in the near future.
If they were willing to package him for Crosby, that suggests the team could make him available to other teams. Part of the reason it hasn’t happened yet is that they’re about to lose Wright to free agency. They may wish to add some help at cornerback before moving Stevenson out. There should be no shortage of teams interested. He’s 25 years old and playing on the last season of his rookie contract. He is still talented and more than affordable for all but the most cash-strapped teams.
| Player | Year | Rookie Contract Status | Trade Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trent McDuffie | 2026 | Final Year (5th-Year Option) | 2026 1st-round pick (#29), 2nd-round pick, and two 4th-round picks |
| L’Jarius Sneed | 2024 | Tag-and-Trade (Post-Year 4) | 2025 3rd-round pick and a 2024 7th-round pick swap |
| Mike Hughes | 2021 | Final Year (Option Declined) | 2022 6th-round pick (received a 2022 7th-round pick back) |
| Desmond King | 2020 | Final Year (Year 4) | 2021 6th-round pick |
| Quinton Dunbar | 2020 | Final Year (Year 4) | 2020 5th-round pick |
| Jalen Ramsey | 2019 | Final Year (5th-Year Option) | 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 1st-round pick, and a 2021 4th-round pick |
| Marcus Peters | 2019 | Final Year (5th-Year Option) | LB Kenny Young and a 2020 5th-round pick |
| Gareon Conley | 2019 | Year 3 of 4 | 2020 3rd-round pick |
If and when it happens, the Bears are probably looking at a Day 3 pick for Stevenson. A 5th round pick feels like the ballpark. That would certainly replace the one they lost from the D.J. Moore trade a couple of days ago. Once done, names like Zah Frazier and Terell Smith will see opportunities to challenge for the starting job. It’s a safe bet that a veteran free agent and another draft pick could join the mix as well. This defense could look significantly different very soon.