Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - 5 On It: How big of a cost reduction will a suitor get Maxx Crosby for?

Episode Date: March 11, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment.

Laila Rahimi, Marshall Harris, Mark Grody, Rahimi Harrison Grody on 1043 The Score. This is Rahimi Harrison Grody on 1043 The Score. And we've talked a lot about players who are not actually on the bears, like Max Crosby dominating our day to day. I like the acknowledgement of Fat Joe, by the way. Yesterday's price is not today's price. At least not on him. If you miss the big news,

Max Crosby is still with the Raiders and in the meantime the Baltimore Ravens decided to extend their contract offer to Trey Hendrickson, four years, $112 million the reported deal after, quote, backing out, end quote, of the Max Crosby trade. So he is off the board.

Beep, beep, beep. It was a backing up of the truck. But that was according to the Raiders. That's how they put it. They issued the statement. said that. And in the meantime, the bears got more work done yesterday. So that included getting the services of more to help the defensive line. And I thought that that was a big part of this as well when it came to what the bears wanted to do. So we found out after our show that the bears also

decided to get more depth on their defensive line. They decided to add, as we've mentioned, to their secondary. And they're in a different place now than they were yesterday. I don't know that, you know, my position of just being overwhelmed, not overwhelmed, has changed it all. But I will say this. I don't dislike any of the moves. It's just maybe hoping for a little more wow factor, a little more Shazam, if that makes sense.

And Kobe Bryant, good player. You could argue he's an upgrade over Kevin Byer just because of the age alone and his versatility, which Kevin Byer does. does his thing very well at the safety spot, where as this could be more of a Kyler Gordon type of situation when you talk about Kobe Bryant. Devin Bush, I like that. I like the speed because they said they wanted to get faster.

That was a stated goal of Ryan Poles. And I think they did that with getting Devin Bush, a guy who led the entire league last year in interception return yardage, the fact that he had two pick sixes also tied for the lead in that category. And when you talk about Gallimore, I don't know. Like, I just don't know. Neville Gallimore? Yeah, Neville Galamore, the defensive tackle, I don't know what to expect.

I want to see how he's used. I just know the line is where they need the most help, right? And Contavia Street, I feel like this is a Dennis Allen direct call. Like there's been several Dennis Allen direct calls. And I'm just more focused on defense than I am offense because that's where. where more need is right now. Contavia Street was acquired yesterday. Cam Lewis was acquired yesterday.

That was shortly after Nashan Wright signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets. So Nashan Wright goes off the board. I think we thought that was going to happen a little bit sooner. So Street, Lewis, and then the Bears also adding with their receiving court as well. So that made a big difference in Kaleef Raymond. And I feel like there's some known commodities here when it comes to the details, guys. That was something that Brad Biggs talked about as well, was that there were going to be players who you knew they were going to add

on the second day of the negotiating window, on a day like today, or even after the league year actually begins, they were going to make differences. Nishon Wright was one of those guys last year. I feel like Kaleef Raymond is a bigger difference maker. He's a known commodity a bit, especially on special teams. But with Lomene Zakiya's gone, I wonder how much Raymond fits into that. And then additionally, so when you get another defensive defense,

back, Cam Lewis, a cornerback. They've still got space they need to do when it comes to safety. They've still got three spots they need to fill. So I think that that's a concern as well for this team. But they are in a more set space yesterday than they were this time yesterday. We didn't get news about Cam Lewis. We got news about, sorry, Koli for Amen later, but we didn't get news about that until like at the very end of our show. With the Cam Lewis thing, and I don't know if this is because of the timing of it. It felt like, hey, Nishon, if you want to be here, we got a spot for you, but at this price. And then if you notice, Lela, immediately after he signs with the Jets, Cam Lewis gets signed. So it may be coincidence, but that's how it felt

watching the news transactions roll through. Well, and Brad Biggs asked the question on Monday, what are the Bears going to do a quarterback? I think it was with that understanding that perhaps Nashon Wright gets a big payday, leaves the building. He ends up going for five in change. So what was going to happen when it came to the rest of the cornerback group? So I think we see some sort of backup there because they were going to have to add a spot. I wonder what the Bears offer was to Nashan Wright. Because to only take a one-year deal worth just over $5 million doesn't feel like a break-the-bank type move. It sounds like another bet on yourself season, but with a 400% raise.

Yeah, one-year deal $5.5 million, according to Jordan Schultz, who is a friend of the show. And Nishon Wright also double stamped it. He retweeted it and said, Jets, what's good. So in that case, that sounds like he's confirming the salary there at least. Case Canem is back, as we've mentioned, but the big ones were Kaleef Raymond and then Street and also Cam Lewis. In the meantime, we're trying to figure out how this gets put together. And Dave Wonstadt was on with Mully and Hae yesterday morning, so that was before those three came into the picture. And he talked about what he thinks about what the Bears linebacking core is going to look like coming up?

You know, both those linebackers. I mean, last year, one thing we did do, we got a chance to see all those backup linebackers, you know, in live action because of the injuries. But I like that. I mean, I was never going back on our shows, you know,

I was never a big fan of giving linebackers a lot of money. The only one in all my coaching career anywhere where I've been, Zach Thomas, and Zach Thomas was a three-down linebackers. I mean, he could cover, he stayed in every down for us in Miami. So, but I never wanted to give linebackers big, big money, you know, and put it in those linemen and corners. So I like what the Bears did.

They opened some gaps face up and they got, I think, two quality linebackers. And, you know, let's draft one. Let's go draft one. You know, let's draft a linebacker. Let's draft. We need, we're going to even be. Ford Dalman retired. I said on your show,

we need to address a good young offensive lineman, a tackle. I was never a big fan of the left tackle when teams are in the gun because the ball's coming out so quick it don't make a darn

protect the backside of the quarterback. That's just plenty of talk if you're not going play action and if you're not running the ball. Well, guess what? The bear now are a play action, run team, a major part of their offense. So that left tackle position is going to be a little bit more valuable, guys. So I would be looking serious there, whether it's free agent or draft.

And, you know, the offensive line is great as they were. You know, we need another really good young guy that can play inside. So, you know, I would see offensive line, defensive tackle, would be my first thoughts as far as looking at young players draft-wise down the road. So Coach Wonstat making a lot of sense out of the needs there for the Bears and what's next. Here's something in connection, by the way. Brad Biggs reported an hour ago, I'm told the Bears had a large contingent of scouts and coaches at the Kansas State Pro Day on Tuesday

with a focus on center Sam Hecht. Hecht is one of many prospects I'd expect the team to get a close look at in the pre-draft process. Now that's center. But it sounds like their definition and direction of what is happening in the draft may be getting a little more clear as well. Well, I think once they start filling these holes, you kind of prioritize what you actually need in the draft. And of course, when you say need, it could be an immediate need or a need a year or two down the road. Because developing guys is kind of what they've talked about doing. And certainly guys like Austin Booker, for instance, they have taken steps.

with certain players in development just because you're not a first round or second round pick doesn't mean you can't help the team in a major way in the years to come. As we still fill in the gaps to me, safety, I don't think you're going to get three of them to the caliber you want in the draft. Maybe you get one that you intend on being the starting safety

or at least a capable backup for this team. But I would assume at least one more, one more player that you think is of higher caliber is probably something that happens today or within that smattering of, you know, sightings that usually happens on today, tomorrow, somewhere around there, where they get up a whole bunch of guys

they tell you about where they sign them for a certain amount of money, like a million or so. But in addition to Kobe Bryant, we still don't know what's happening with Kevin Byrd, by the way. Still. Yeah, and that's the question now is Kevin Byer was not a part of the first wave of free agent sign. The question is, will the bears get their next safety, their second safety through the second or third wave of free agency?

That's the question. What do you consider this? I feel like we're still in the first wave, even though it's Wednesday, even though the league technically starts a new year or three. I still feel like we're in the first wave. I think the first wave ends, because we have had a whole negotiating period, the first wave ends. the first wave ends after the first day a free agency is officially open. So tonight would be the last wave. Anything that happens tomorrow is the second wave.

You know? Yeah. And I think the Crosby deal kind of punctuates that in a way because him having that deal rescinded, seeing Trey Hendrickson signed by the Baltimore Ravens, lets you know we're definitely still in the first wave because he was the biggest free agent available. when the league leader and interceptions in the regular season still doesn't have a landing spot yet.

I wonder how much of this was affected by the big names like the Max Crosby discussion, the Trey Hendrickson signing. Did that whole process stunt the rest of the progress in the league today? I'm not sure. I don't know if it's so much that. I think with him specifically, Kevin Byard, it may just be him deciding, do I need another, quote unquote, bigger payday, or do I just want to go somewhere where I can win?

Because there may be teams offering good money, but he knows I'm probably not going to be on a contender this coming season, and his time is running out. If you're curious, by the way, the Ravens have restructured Lamar Jackson's contract to create space that, according to Adam Schefter, it's supposed to free up nearly $40 million in cap space. That helps. Hi, Trey.

That helps. And I'm sure he's like, yeah, Defense needs some help. Good. Let's do it. So by triggering a clause that automatically restructures Jackson's deal, Baltimore reduced his 2026 cap figure of 74.5 million. That was the second highest in the NFL. So 34.54. A little bit more reasonable. Hmm.

Coming up next year on Rahimi Harrison Grady, we will continue to track free agency, and we will continue to give you the latest. as we get the news here on Rahimi Harrison Grotie, especially regarding the Bears. In the meantime, there was a practically historical night that happened in the NBA last night. And you'd think it should be celebrated.

Nope. Is this petty? Next.