NFL Insider Cautions Chicago Bears On All-In Moves In 2026 Offseason
If you have spent any time in the Chicago Bears social media circles recently, you know the fanbase is practically foaming at the mouth for a pass rusher. After watching the season end without a deep playoff run, the consensus is clear: the defense needs a partner in crime for Montez Sweat.
Chicago Bears Fans Want A Big Splash
Naturally, eyes have turned to the biggest, shiniest names potentially available. We are talking about guys like Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. The idea of pairing either of them with Sweat is enough to make any defensive coordinator drool.
But before we start printing the jerseys, NFL insider Albert Breer has a bit of a reality check for Chicago. While swinging for the fences feels good in February, it might lead to a hangover in September.
The Temptation of Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby
It is easy to see why fans want these guys. The Bears struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback in 2025, largely due to injuries and a lack of depth. General Manager Ryan Poles has admitted the defensive line is a priority, saying he needs to “continue to press and get better” at the position.
Trey Hendrickson is coming off a monster stretch with the Bengals and is set to be a free agent. He is a proven commodity who wreaks havoc in the backfield. Maxx Crosby is younger, undeniably elite, and plays with a motor that never stops. Adding either player signals to the rest of the NFL that the Bears are in “win-now” mode.
However, Albert Breer, speaking on ESPN Chicago, warned that there needs to be a limit.
“There needs to be a limit on how far I’d go to get him [Trey Hendrickson], and how many years out I’d be guaranteeing money,” Breer noted. “Because, again, guys that age with some injury issues… it’s hard to count on a whole lot of anything.”
The Risk of Aging Overnight
The primary concern with signing a player like Hendrickson is age. He is 31 years old. While he might be effective in 2026, handing out a multi-year deal with guaranteed money to an aging pass rusher is risky business.
Breer pointed out a crucial distinction between the two targets. Acquiring Maxx Crosby, who is 28, would require giving up massive draft capital—likely multiple high picks. Acquiring Hendrickson just costs money, but it eats into the salary cap flexibility needed to keep the team’s young core together down the road.
“If you are gonna go and get a Trey Hendrickson, it’s not like that’s a solution for the next four years,” Breer said.
This is where the “window” conversation gets tricky. The Bears have Caleb Williams on a rookie contract, which is typically the best time to spend big. But spending big on older players can backfire spectacularly if their bodies break down.
A Cautionary Tale: The Washington Commanders
To drive his point home, Breer used the Washington Commanders as a grim example of what happens when you get too aggressive too quickly.
Washington tried to build a “super team” around their young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, by importing high-priced veterans and trading away draft picks for stars like Marshon Lattimore and Deebo Samuel. It looked great on paper until it didn’t.
“Now you’re going and going and going, but your team has gotten older and older and older,” Breer explained. “And then the injuries hit… and now all your draft picks are gone.”
The Commanders ended up with the oldest roster in the NFL and no way to replenish it cheaply because they had traded their draft capital. The Bears, currently sitting with a much younger roster (average age around 26), risk aging themselves out of contention if they rely too heavily on expensive veterans to fix their holes.
When you trade picks for a guy like Crosby or sign an older vet like Hendrickson, you aren’t just paying for production today; you are mortgaging the flexibility to fix problems tomorrow.
The Smarter Path: Pulling Both Levers
So, if going “all-in” is dangerous, what should Ryan Poles do? The answer isn’t to do nothing—it’s to find a balance.
Breer suggests “pulling both levers.” This means the Bears should look to address the Chicago Bears edge rusher need through both free agency and the draft, without overextending in one area.
Instead of breaking the bank for Hendrickson, maybe the Bears sign a mid-tier veteran who can rotate in and provide solid production. Then, they use their draft capital to select a young pass rusher who can develop alongside Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze.
This strategy ensures the team stays competitive in 2026 without sacrificing the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Good teams project their needs years in advance. They don’t just plug holes; they build pipelines.
The Bottom Line
It is fun to dream about Maxx Crosby in Navy and Orange. It is exciting to imagine Trey Hendrickson sacking Jordan Love at Soldier Field. But the Bears are building something sustainable, and sustainable teams rarely panic-buy in the offseason.
Ryan Poles has done a solid job rebuilding this roster by being calculated. Deviating from that plan now to chase a big name carries a risk that might outweigh the reward. The goal isn’t just to win the offseason headlines—it’s to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, and sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
