Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Harris is on board with idea of Bears trading for Raiders star Maxx Crosby

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris discussed the possibility of the Bears trading for Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Harris believes the Bears should pay what it takes to get Crosby.

The score. This hour is brought to you by Menards. Save big money at Menard. This is Rahimi Harrison Grotty on 1043 The Score. We were going to have Jordan Schultz on right now, but I'm pretty sure he's chasing down news. Anytime somebody reschedules with us at the Combine, there's usually a reason. So let's go over some of the tweets that Jordan Schultz has put out just when it comes to the Bears today. This was at 903 this morning.

Sources. Teams have inquired with the bears about trading for Jervon Dexter. There's a name I didn't think I would read this morning. As the free agent defensive tackle market and draft class are not deep, the 24-year-old started all 17 games last season and had 13 and a half career sacks and 42 quarterback hits. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. So that's a big one.

and then he continues to break more news. He also had this. Two other names the Bears have received calls on, as we know, quarterback Tyson Baygent, and wide receiver DJ Moore per sources. So this isn't just us speculating. This is per NFL sources to Jordan Schultz. Moore has over $23 million in guaranteed money in 2026

and is viewed as available for the right price by teams in the wide receiver market. This is unsurprising. All of this, it makes sense when you think about the way the Bears' salary cap is set up for next season currently, where the league's cap is that's going to have to be in line with the league year coming up in early March. It seems like we are at a tipping point, and Ryan Poles is kind of before the combine is over and before the actual draft against, he's on the clock to get cap compliant. I get that and we know and we've talked about it. I think as much as anybody else has when it comes to what the bears are facing when it's being cat compliant by March 11th. That is when the league has its next year's start. But here's the other part of this.

Like we've been thinking in terms of big rocks in the jar versus little rocks in the jar. Javon Dexter is not little. But his salary, relatively speaking, is even in the last year of his rookie deal. according to SpotRack, he would make 2.1 million, 2.139, sort of 2.2.2, like 2.4-1-4, basically. So 2.14 million is owed to Javon Dexter. He's in the last year of that rookie deal. Who are you replacing him with that would be cheaper? Do you have that much confidence in Shemar Turner, who you want to be an interior rusher, even though he started at D-end in his last game? Do you put him back to the middle?

That is a question for Dennis Allen ultimately, but I will say this. You're talking about Shamar Turner. I'm thinking about this, the 26 NFL draft, and can you replace him through that avenue? And if you decide to go that route because Dauvin Dexter is no longer here, how much are you putting yourself in another, and it's not apples to apples here, but another running back situation from last year? Now that worked out for the Bears with Cal Manungai in the seventh round. But if you target and it's no longer about the quote unquote best player available

as you get deeper into the draft, you set yourself up to not have as much optionality because you need certain position holes filled. I mean, I just go back to the, yeah, you're putting yourself in a spot there. And here's the other thing is sometimes as we're reading

this, you and I who've been reporting. You know, who's putting this out there? Teams have inquired with the Bears about trading for Dexter. That would mean that somebody who's in the place to receive the calls. That be the Bears. And is it in the Bears' best

interest to trade him? You always listen to the deal. I understand that. But at the same time, this is a problem that you might be creating that you didn't have a problem at before. I didn't have issue with Jervon Dexter. Especially this year

when he was able to get his hand up on a few tip balls. Like that is as good as anything when it comes to a play kill and that sets you up to get turnovers depending on how the tip goes so i don't necessarily know why they would put themselves in this position i know it's i know it's a one year left on his contract but he's he's so cheap well i know i don't want to say that because it sounds like he's cheap as a person he's not cheap his contract is so cheap how about that i was going to say it i was like there's not a better word i wanted to walk with you on it because i didn't want you to be out here by

yourself calling him cheap, but I understood what this sentiment was. He's very close to bawling on a budget. No, I think he is... He starts. He's reliable. He's, he's not the best when it comes to the interior pass rush, but he's good. Yeah, he's far from the worst. I mean, he's above, I think he's above average, and he's an excellent value. How about that? He's an excellent value. Great value, Jordan, or great value, Javon, Dexter. That makes it sound cheaper when you say great value, because then it's like a brand and... Oh, I know. Off brand, and I know. But, but, but here, it's, you're Here's what I'll say to Jervon Dexter and the idea that the Bears would put this out there. The Bears are simply trying to find out what could they get for Javon Dexter.

Remember, like I said, Ryan Poles is on the clock. He needs to know what his options are for everybody on the roster. And if there is a market for every player that he's thinking about moving around. I mean, think about that. He started all 17 games last season. Durability is a thing. That's more than a great value. Yes.

The best ability is still Availability and that's why It's perplexing isn't it? Like you're going, what's the end game on this On this news? It could just be putting your toe on the water To see what the water temperature is. It could be that simple.

But you know, the other thing too Is that reportedly this draft class is very deep at edge That this is a good defensive end class in the draft And that perhaps your chances at 25 are good enough to find somebody. So then why would you be like, yeah, I'm going to get rid of my DT?

Make it make sense. Yeah, and the cap hit has slightly escalated each and every year, but it's very cheap compared to some of the guys you might have to go out there and get as a free agent who are older and maybe less durable. And more expensive. Yeah, that's the other part. Like that's a, that might be penny wise and pound foolish. Like that, that's the issue.

but it depends on the assets you think you can get as well, and that's very fair. Now, Jordan Schultz talking about Tyson, Bejant and DJ Moore, Ryan Poles told us that the Bears had received calls on Tyson Baygeon. But DJ Moore is something that I think until this point, it's been you and me and friends trying to figure out what happens to him. Hi, friends. I don't necessarily think it's been NFL sources or front offices saying,

hey, is he available? There is a proven need for both of those positions in the league. Quarterback, number one receiver. You know, we talked about some of the teams yesterday. I hate to tell you this. I think you and your heart of hearts know one of the teams that could use DJ Moore services. Are you speaking about the only team that resides in the state of New York? Correct.

The Buffalo Bills could use just a dog of a receiver, a get it done guy dog like dog and him dog somebody with some uh aunt to who blocks on past plays who blocks on any play

who does whatever you need him to do I think Josh Allen would be happy with DJ more and you know I've heard a lot of talk in Caleb Williams two years here about the lack of chemistry I mean the chemistry I mean the chemistry's been good at certain points but the consistency in chemistry

has been called into question by me, you, everybody at some point. Well, and he's just not being targeted a lot, either. So is he as valuable on the Bears as he would be on a team like, say, the Bills or say the Titans or say just anybody who needs... The Raiders? Sure, the Raiders. Now, see, now you're... By asking that question about the Raiders, you're leading me to that other thing where we have...

Do we do it? Do we... Listen. Is that our Maxinista alert? Ray, call out the Maxinistas. I need you to do it, Ray. We need the horn. We need the DJ horn.

Let's get the DJ horn set up. We're about to get ready for everybody who is really wanting a star pass rusher to reinvigorate the Bears defense. Are you ready, Tyler? Where my Maxineistas? 3-1-2-6-44-67. Check in on the text line if you're a Maxineista out there. are you guys welcoming people onto the Maxinista bandwagon? That's my next question. Who's not on the Maxena Bandwagon? Both in T.J. Max Life and in Max Cosby life. I told you.

I'm a Marshall's guy. You can be both. Why not both? Okay. That's fair. That's fair. I just, you know. Come on, Marshall. Bring it home, baby. We're ready for you. I got it. Never, never invalid. Never invalid. So here's my thing. Here's why I have been converted to the camp of Max Inistas. I am fully on board with the bears making the trade for one Max Crosby. It's very simple now. Now that we have a price, now that you've told me the price point, now that we're not haggling over prices, if all it takes is this year's first rounder and next year's first rounder,

and next year's first rounder and DJ more, I'm good. Let's get that done right now. It might not even take that much. And you know what? And a twist, yesterday's price is today's price. Because two first rounders and a player for Micah Parsons, for example, is also the same price for Max Crosby.

This is pro football talk, Mike Florio, reporting, per a league source. The Raiders are looking for two first round picks and a player for the 28-year-old edge rusher. And what I need people to do, Leila, when they absorb that news, because I know it hurts Bears fans when you hear Price and First Rounder, and you're like, oh, first rounder.

You know why? Because when they think First Rounder, they think Colson Lovin. They think Roma Dunze. They think Caleb Williams, because they're so used to picking at the top of the first round in the first half of the first round.

We need you to think lower, friends. But this is a new era. When you talk about first round pick for the Bears, I need you to get used to the number being 20 and down. Get low. Get low with it. Here's the deal. If the Bears are going to be picking in the 20s or beyond over the next two years, they've got pick number 25 this year. And it costs two first round picks.

So you're talking about a pick that's 25 this year and a pick in the 20s, maybe even the 30s, depending on how things go. next year. The 30s means you made the Super Bowl. I know what it means. Well, it could be championship game because 30, 31, 32. But yes. Oh, okay, okay, okay. But yes, if we're talking about that for Max Crosby next year on this team,

you have to do it. You have to do it. Tell me why you wouldn't do it. No, I mean, well, I've been there. It's just, you know, I hate to be the nerdy accountant who breaks into the chat here. you're going to have to move a lot because he's set to make 35.79 million next year. Okay. 35.79 is far in a way.

That would far in a way be the highest paid bear on the team because DJ Moore is number one at 28 and a half. Thank you for pointing out the DJ Moore salary. So first of all, just cancel that out. So now you're down, what, 11 million according to what you just said? Yes. Okay. I mean, I don't know. Yeah, I don't know if there's any asset balance that has to happen there.

Okay, but let's just say it's around $11 million. Trayne Emmons is gone. We can agree on that, right? Yeah, that's pretty much happening. And I agree with everybody who's like, why are they even trying to trade them when we all know they're not going to keep them? Yeah, I agree with you guys. Well, try to get something for them, and then you do just cut them. And sometimes you are able to get something. If it's a sixth round or if it's a seventh round, just get something for him.

You're going to cut them. I like the 630 text. Like the Rams said the year they won and traded for Von Miller, blank them picks. Like, but they didn't say blank. But that's pretty much how you have to be. blank them picks, bleat them picks, however you want to say it. I'm going to need someone to talk me off the ledge. I'm ready to jump like we're in the wilderness in the jungle into that body of water.

There could be piranhas down there. There can be an alligator down there, but it looks like a fun jump, doesn't it? That's what Max Crosby is right now. That's a jump I'm willing to take. I am now officially a Maxenista. I don't know that I wasn't. One of us. One of us.

One of us. Yeah, it's the It's just the 35.8 That you've really got to Oh, you don't want to pay the price for a guy who No, I do. I just, you know, it's going to be like Max Crosby and you and me on the defensive line.

Hey, no, no, it's going to be Max Crosby and Montez Sweat and whoever's in the middle. Maybe Jervon Dexter, maybe not. Andrew Billingsley's probably gone. Like there's guys who... And your friend who really wants to hit somebody on the defensive line. And then you got... And like in the linebackers, it's going to be like maybe T.J. Edwards and a guy who said he played

linebacker last week. Listen, old Grady Jarrett is still here? Safeties? No. No, your safeties are like your friend who played safety in high school and... Jalen Johnson exists. Collar Gordon exists. There are people who will be on this team that are still playmakers.

I just want... Jayley Johnson and Collar Gordon are both corners. You still have to... to figure out who's in the middle in the back. There are safeties to be had in this draft as well in the second round and beyond. Because remember, in this scenario, you have no first round pick. I'm very comfortable with Ryan Poles figuring it out. This is what you get paid to do.

Max Crosby's right there. Caleb Williams is on his rookie contract. Figure it out. The defensive introduction would be like, Max Crosby. That's it. That's the defense. See Like the player introduction

At the bottom of the screen Max Crosby And then it's just done And then just wipes away And then you go back to the wide shot And it's just Max Crosby Overcenter Max Crosby

Running laterally From tight end to tackle You know What gap he's going to pick And since he's the only one there That was always The guy's on the swing Just kind of by himself all alone

That was always the joke You know like before the CBA became ridiculous in the NBA. The joke was like, who's, if you're paying these two dudes who's left on the bench and the bench is like us, you know?

Max Crosby, Eastern Michigan. And yes, Laila Rahimi wanted to play defense one time. Marshall Harris thought it might be a good idea. Clay Harbor, you can't coach height. 773 says,

It'll be okay. We have a punter. 608 says, Bears are already 9 million. over the cap. It's okay. We have a punter. Yeah, they have a punter.

Bears are already 9 million over the cap. Figure that into the 11 million more, digging quite a hole there. Remember, Tremaine Edmins is gone. Can we just talk about Tremaine Edmonds being gone, saving you close to $20 million?

Yeah, but he was the healthy guy. So who's on the linebacking crew? They have guys. Ray Diaz. We just mentioned him. These are our player intros. How do you feel about it? Oh, yeah.

I mean, it's a little brutal. But Max Crosby, be leading the way, baby. He'd inspire us all. I would like to also offer this thought. I know that we were all trying to figure out what the price was going to be. And it was surmised that I was going to say three first rounders by like the comment section somewhere. And I like to read stuff just because I like to answer questions if there are questions to be answered. But no, I always thought it was going to be like two players or two first rounders and a player.

But the question then becomes what the quality of the player is. you know, like this is, like for the Cowboys and Micah Parsons, it was two first rounders and Kenny Clark. That just also kind of indicates to me how, how poorly they valued Micah Parsons, doesn't it? When you consider that the price would be the same. Now, Max has a much bigger contract number, but still,

ridiculous. I just think you're doing math right now. Now I see you over there. Yes, I am. I just feel like this is the thing that needs to be priority at the top. Figure out if you can do it. If you can't do it, tell me why, Ryan Poles. Tell me why.

Your bear's defensive line. Max Crosby, guy with face, mop. I'm good with that. I mean, I'm not good with that technically, but you get the idea. Just go get him. 7-7-3 texted, get her done. Yes. Technically, I think the spell.

is G-I-T-E-R-D-U-N. Yeah, you've got it done. That's a spell check thing right there, for sure. Your autocorrect is not your friend. And get her done. It's not. 2-24. I don't want Max.

What happens if he gets injured? We are screwed. Fill the team with as many good players as you can. Versus one great and then a bunch of buster. Who said a bunch of busters? So Jalen Johnson's a buster, right? Montes-S-S-Wet is a buster, right? Kyle, Gordon, a buster?

Are these busters? I'm sorry, I know we've got to go to break, but I want people to get on board, Ray, or get out the way. Yeah, I mean, those are your options here. That is some wild salary cap math and some restructuring that has to happen. But we've seen it happen.

Coming up next year on 104-3, the score, we want to check in with Adam Hogue. Adam Hogue will join us to have some of this combine discussion and also what he's heard regarding Senate Bill 27 in Indiana and also the pilot bill that is set to take place that the legislator is meeting on in Illinois right now. So we'll talk to him about all of those things next.