Forget Crosby rumors. If Myles Garrett wants a Super Bowl and a fresh start, the Bears present a compelling, unexpected opportunity.
The rumors have been circulating about the Chicago Bears trading for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
General Manager Ryan Poles smiled when asked about a potential trade, and Crosby himself has praised the Bears.
If you're the Bears, why wouldn't you attempt a trade? Well, there is now a roadblock in the way.
Because of the nature of Crosby's meniscus injury, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believes that a trade wouldn't be possible until before or after the 2026 NFL Draft. For reference, free agency begins on March 11.
Aside from that, NFL Analyst Jay Glazer thinks a Crosby trade would need to give up more than the Green Bay Packers did for Micah Parsons. Parsons was traded to the Packers from the Dallas Cowboys for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
There is another option the Bears haven't considered amid the uncertainty surrounding a trade for Crosby. "First Things First's" Danny Parkins appeared on 104.3 The Score and made his case for a trade with the Bears and Cleveland Browns for edge rusher Myles Garrett.
He understands that it might be a stretch, but with the recent resignation of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and the Browns' rebuilding, it could be enough for Garrett to want to be traded.
"Listen, Myles Garrett, everyone assumes that's not gonna happen, and ok maybe not, he just got the huge contract extension, but he loved Jim Schwartz," Parkins said. "Jim Schwartz just resigned as the defensive coordinator in Cleveland because he didn't get the head coaching job. Myles Garrett was just on Micah Parsons' podcast a couple of days ago, saying the next step for him is to hoist the Lombardi and be Super Bowl MVP. Don't see a real path to that happening in Cleveland."
Shedeur Sanders had his moments as a rookie in Cleveland, but is nowhere near the level of a franchise quarterback yet, making Garrett's chances of competing for a Super Bowl with them slim.
Meanwhile, Chicago just exceeded expectations in year one with Ben Johnson and reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs. If Garrett wants to reach his goal of winning a Super Bowl, the Bears would be a good opportunity to do that.
A trade for either of the star players would help the Bears with their lack of sack production. The one player who had more than 10 sacks for Chicago this season was Montez Sweat.
However, the team still finished 22nd in the NFL with 35 sacks.
If Garrett somehow decides he doesn't want to play for the Browns anymore, the Bears should be all over it. With Crosby's injury putting a pin in any potential trade, Garrett would be another great option.
Adding another excellent pass rusher to the Bears' defensive line could really take this team over the edge in becoming a contender in the NFC.