Crosby remains a high-end force (10 sacks in 2025) but comes with significant hurdles: he is 28, has substantial salary-cap hits in the near term, and underwent meniscus repair surgery in January after playing through a knee injury. Those factors, combined with the price tag, created a likely ceiling that was beyond Chicago’s comfort zone.
The cost to acquire Crosby would have been steep: two first-round picks or an equivalent package, plus the expense of his top-tier contract, which would load the Bears with heavy cap hits around $35 million in 2026 and roughly $38 million in 2027. Chicago’s current cap situation is tight on the defensive line, with three large deals—Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Grady Jarrett—already looming large.
Looking ahead, Chicago has not drafted an edge rusher in the first round since 2016 and has not taken a defender there since 2018, a long pattern that could change at No. 25 overall in the upcoming draft. There is optimism about several first-round edge options that could be available, including prospects like Zion Young, Keldric Faulk, and T.J. Parker, should the board fall favorably for the Bears.
Ultimately, the Bears chose patience over an expensive auction. General manager Ryan Poles has signaled a methodical approach, prioritizing guardrails and value, and may use No. 25 or moves within the second round to strengthen the defensive line rather than chase a marquee, costly upgrade at this time.
