The debate surrounding whether the Chicago Bears could realistically pursue Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby took another over the weekend.
A longtime Chicago insider pushed back on comments made by ESPNâs Adam Schefter last week.
During a recent appearance on ESPN, Schefter suggested the Bears were effectively out of the running for Crosby because of their financial situation following the first wave of free agency.
âThe Bears donât have the money to make a move like that right now,â Schefter said. âThey cannot afford it.â
However, Chicago reporter David Kaplan says the situation may not be as simple as it first appeared.
âSo there is an uproar after Adam Schefter said the Bears are broke,â Kaplan wrote on X. âRelax. After making calls hereâs the scoop. That was in reference to salary cap situation. They have whatever they need financially if Poles wants to make a move.”
Kaplanâs comments suggest Schefterâs statement may have been interpreted more broadly than intended.
While the Bears currently have limited salary cap space available following their early free agency moves, that does not necessarily mean the organization lacks the financial flexibility to pursue a major trade if it decides the opportunity is worth exploring.
Adam Schefterâs Bears Comments Spark Debate
Schefterâs remarks last week quickly became one of the more talked-about topics surrounding the Bearsâ offseason plans.
At the time, the national insider appeared to shut down the idea that Chicago could enter the Crosby sweepstakes, citing the teamâs current salary cap situation after several roster additions during the opening days of free agency.
On the surface, the numbers support that argument. Salary cap tracking sites show the Bears operating with very limited remaining space after completing several moves aimed at strengthening the roster heading into the 2026 season.
That financial picture led many observers to assume Chicago would not have the ability to absorb Crosbyâs massive contract if a trade opportunity emerged.
Like many other teams around the NFL, the Bears believed a deal sending Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens was all but finalized. Chicago approached the opening days of free agency with that assumption in mind. However, after the Ravens backed out of the agreement before it could be completed, Crosby is once again potentially available.
Bears Still Have Ways to Create Cap Flexibility
Kaplanâs report highlights an important distinction that often exists during the NFL offseason: the difference between current cap space and financial flexibility.
Teams frequently create room through contract restructures, extensions or other roster adjustments if a major opportunity presents itself. General manager Ryan Poles has used similar strategies in the past when navigating Chicagoâs salary cap.
Whether the Bears ultimately choose to pursue Crosby remains unclear. Poles recently acknowledged the team at least explored the possibility after the Ravens trade fell apart, but he declined to elaborate further on Chicagoâs level of interest.
For now, Kaplanâs reporting indicates that the door may not be completely closed on the possibility after all.
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