Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby has never been shy about speaking his mind, and his latest comments on The Rush With Maxx podcast certainly caught the attention of Chicago Bears fans.
Maxx Crosby Gushes Over Bears’ Head Coach Ben Johnson
GettyHead coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24.
While discussing offensive minds he respects around the NFL, Crosby delivered glowing praise for Bears head coach Ben Johnson, labeling him as one of the league’s elite play callers.
“He’s [Ben Johnson] one of the best in the league. One of the best play callers without a doubt,” Crosby said. “He does an incredible job in all facets of offense, you know what I mean? Like the run game to the pass game to the trickeration. He’s really got all that.”
Coming from one of the NFL’s premier defensive players, those words carry significant weight. Crosby continued by emphasizing the challenges of facing a Johnson-led offense.
“He’s somebody I respect a lot. I can’t say much bad things about him. Every time we go out there against an offense led by him like, you got to be on your sh** and be at your best because he’s going to make it difficult. So, respect the hell out of him.”
Johnson has quickly built a reputation as a creative, detail-oriented coach capable of keeping defenses on edge. Hearing a defender of Crosby’s caliber admit that Johnson forces opponents to elevate their preparation only further validates Chicago’s belief that they have the right leader guiding their offense.
And it’s especially intriguing coming from Crosby, as his name has been popping up in potential trade talks.
Trade Speculation Adds Intrigue to Crosby’s Comments
Crosby’s praise for Johnson becomes even more intriguing when viewed through the lens of growing speculation surrounding his future with the Raiders. The Bears may just had the door cracked open to pursue one of the league’s top pass rushers during the 2026 NFL offseason, as tensions between Crosby and the Raiders organization have reportedly intensified.
The situation escalated late in the season when the Raiders chose to sit Crosby for the final two games, despite his desire to play. The decision didn’t sit well with the star defensive end, who left the facility for a few days before ultimately returning out of respect for his teammates.
While Crosby has long been viewed as the heart and soul of the Raiders, that episode sparked widespread discussions about whether his relationship with the organization could be nearing a breaking point.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, many believe the Raiders would be open to trading Crosby “if the relationship remains at an impasse.”
However, Raiders general manager John Spytek attempted to downplay the rumors.
“I love Maxx,” Spytek told reporters. “He embodies what a Raider is. I’ve been pretty up front with that from the day I sat up here a year ago and I continue to believe that.”
For now, hearing Crosby praise Johnson the way that he did adds yet another layer of trade speculation, and it’ll be interesting to see whether the Raiders mend their relationship with the star pass rusher or if Chicago has a chance of making a move for him.
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