Bears suddenly linked to 16-sack star in non-Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett deal

Bears suddenly linked to 16-sack star in non-Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett deal originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . It's all but certain that the Chicago Bears are going to add an edge rusher over the next few months, whether that be in free agency or via a trade.

The Bears have a few needs remaining on both sides of the football, but their biggest is on the defensive side of the football at edge. Potential trade options would be the best place to go for the Bears right now if they could somehow add a player like Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett, but that's likely a bit unrealistic. There are some other players out there who could be good fits, including Haason Reddick, a veteran who has been around the league a bit in recent years.

Reddick was recently predicted to sign with the Bears, though it was added that his production in recent years just isn't what it used to be. “Reddick’s production has taken a precipitous decline since four straight double-digit sack seasons from 2020 to 2023. He’ll turn 32 in September but his 34 pressures last year would’ve ranked fourth on the Bears in 2025.

Chicago needs another edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat and didn’t address their pass rush need in the draft. Chicago had the NFC’s worst pass rush win rate in 2025, per ESPN, and can use a vet like Reddick to provide a boost,” Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY wrote . Reddick is a decent player, but it isn't as if his production has only taken a small hit.