It's going to happen, isn't it?
It's like watching our worst nightmares unfold slowly and painfully before our eyes. The Chicago Bears were reportedly heavily interested in trading for Maxx Crosby before the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Then the Ravens turned heel on the rest of the NFL and backed out of the trade at the last minute.
The new league year has arrived, and, for now, Crosby is still a Raiders player. But FanSided's Cody Williams broke down what a realistic Bears-Raiders trade may look like, and the worst part? It feels as though, helplessly, inevitably, this hypothetical scenario is hurtling towards becoming a painful reality.
Why this Bears-Maxx Crosby trade package may fuel Packers' worst nightmares
Before pulling the plug, Baltimore had agreed to send two first-rounders to Las Vegas for Crosby. Rich Eisen revealed that Chicago was also willing to make that offer, but missed out because the Ravens had the higher pick this year.
It makes sense, then, that with the Ravens out of the picture, the Bears would take another swing at acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler. In the article for FanSided, Williams broke down what it could take for Chicago to land Crosby. Here's the package he drew up:
It's a slightly sweeter deal than the Ravens-Raiders agreement, as the Bears would receive a future fourth-rounder as part of the trade. It hurts because this could actually get it done.
Since the Ravens-Crosby debacle broke the internet Tuesday night, all we've seen is interested teams drop out of the race, none bigger than the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys pushed through the Rashan Gary trade, while various reports indicate they are no longer in the mix for Crosby.
It leaves precious few realistic landing spots. Maybe the Philadelphia Eagles get involved. Perhaps Tom Brady would help his old friends in New England by sending Crosby there. But the Bears, sadly, make too much sense.
They are an ascending team in the NFC, but desperately need defensive reinforcements. Chicago has the advantage of Caleb Williams' rookie contract, giving the team flexibility to absorb Crosby's massive deal.
Baltimore bailing on the trade puts Chicago in a dream spot, and one Green Bay can only hope it fumbles.
The best-case scenario is Crosby staying in Las Vegas, forcing Bears GM Ryan Poles to look elsewhere for pass-rush help.
But here we are, desperately hoping the Patriots can strike a deal. Or that Howie Roseman can create some magic to take Crosby to Philadelphia (which is hardly ideal, either).
Maybe we just need the Bears to become the Bears again and find a way to screw it up. That's far better than the alternative.
The Ravens offered some light at the end of the tunnel. Turns out that light may have just been an oncoming Maxx Crosby-sized train steaming toward the Packers.