Bears Prepare for Raiders and the Challenge of Maxx Crosby
Fresh off a commanding 31-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Chicago Bears are now setting their sights on a formidable Las Vegas Raiders team led by first-year head coach Pete Carroll. While the Raiders organization is adjusting to new leadership, defensive end Maxx Crosby remains the heart and soul of their defense—a player so committed to the franchise that he bears the Raiders logo as a permanent tattoo.
The respect for Crosby runs deep within the Bears organization, as evidenced by head coach Ben Johnson’s candid assessment: “In my opinion, he’s a top-five player in this league on defense and probably doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves.” Johnson’s admiration for the defensive powerhouse continued as he described Crosby’s relentless playing style, noting how he’s “all over the place, relentless, high motor” and emphasizing the necessity of tracking his movements on every snap. The Bears coach highlighted Crosby’s game-changing ability, simply stating, “He wrecks drives. That’s what he does.” This straightforward evaluation reveals the level of respect and caution the Bears are bringing into Sunday’s matchup.
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s coming into his own after the impressive win against Dallas, echoed his coach’s sentiments about the Raiders’ defensive star. Williams demonstrated maturity beyond his NFL experience when discussing Crosby, acknowledging him as “something that you need to be aware of for every single play.” The young quarterback clearly understands the challenge ahead, recognizing not just Crosby’s talent but specifically “how much he can affect the game, how much he does affect a game and a game plan.” This awareness from Williams suggests the Bears’ offensive leader is mentally preparing for one of his toughest tests yet as a professional.
The strategic implications of facing Crosby are perhaps best articulated by Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who described the Raiders star as a “unique player” requiring special consideration in their game planning. Doyle’s respect for Crosby was evident as he explained, “When building a plan, obviously you have to have awareness of where he’s at at all times.” Beyond just acknowledging Crosby’s technical skills, Doyle highlighted the defender’s exceptional effort on every play, calling him “slippery” and emphasizing that the Bears must develop a specific strategy for handling him on each snap. This level of detailed preparation underscores the threat Crosby poses to Chicago’s offensive aspirations.
Crosby’s journey with the Raiders began in 2019 when the team selected him in the draft, and he has since established himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive ends. The Michigan native has been a consistent force on the field, accumulating an impressive 61.5 sacks during his professional career. His value to the Raiders organization was cemented during the offseason when he signed a substantial three-year extension worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million guaranteed—a contract that reflects both his past contributions and expected future impact.
As Sunday’s game approaches, the Bears find themselves in an interesting position—riding high after a convincing victory but now facing an opponent with one of the league’s most disruptive defensive players. The challenge of containing Crosby will likely require a combination of strategic blocking schemes, quick-release passing plays, and perhaps designed runs away from his side of the field. For Caleb Williams and the Bears offense, success may be measured not just by the final score but by how effectively they neutralize the impact of a player who has earned the respect of everyone in the Chicago organization. This matchup within the matchup could ultimately determine whether the Bears can build on their momentum or if Crosby will add to his legacy of “wrecking drives” against another opponent.
