Las Vegas Raiders star edge defender Maxx Crosby has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year now, and one prominent reporter believes something could finally happen in the offseason. Widely established as one of the game’s premier defensive players, Crosby was supposed to lead a playoff-caliber defense for a Raiders team that should have improved with quarterback Geno Smith and head coach Pete Carroll running the show. That didn’t happen, as Vegas is on a collision course with the first-overall pick, and Carroll’s decision to rest Crosby for the final two games of the season caused the superstar to leave the building in frustration.
Tensions have reached a boiling point, and this relationship may be beyond salvaging, even if Carroll does not return for 2026. Because of this, The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reports the Raiders would be “open” to a Maxx Crosby trade during the offseason.
Report: Raiders Finally Ready to Trade Maxx Crosby; 3 Suitors Likely
Maxx Crosby is an elite player at a premium position, so it’s safe to assume the Raiders could get a king’s ransom for his services if they decide to trade him. Seeing as the team is likely embracing a rebuild with a new head coach, Vegas might prefer multiple high draft picks to a player entering his age-29 season. Just about every team would love to have someone like Crosby on its roster, but the following three organizations are the best fits.
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3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals had the worst defense in football in each of the past two seasons, and they must do something to fix it. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins have the talent to go blow-for-blow with any offense in the league, but Cincinnati can’t rely on beating every team 42-38. Trey Hendrickson probably won’t re-sign with the Bengals, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart has not done much to inspire confidence, so the team might as well try to trade for Maxx Crosby.
One pass rusher cannot singlehandedly fix a defense, but adding a playmaker like Crosby would ensure the Bengals have at least one premier playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. If they can pair him with an upgraded secondary, this defense should be good enough to get this team back to the playoffs.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and only time will tell how far the 2025 iteration of the squad will go in the playoffs. However, no matter what happens, this team has the resources to trade for Maxx Crosby. As of this posting, the Chargers are projected to be $103 million over the salary cap, and edge defender Khalil Mack isn’t getting any younger. The Chargers have a good roster when everyone is healthy, but Crosby could make this team elite, and his contract wouldn’t prevent Los Angeles from adding more talent the offensive line.
The only question is whether or not the Raiders would ever trade their star edge defender within the division. Chances are, the Chargers would need to dramatically overpay for Vegas to even consider an offer from an AFC West foe.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have the biggest competitive advantage in football: a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract. After a promising rookie season, the UNC product has established himself as an MVP-caliber talent and has his team atop the AFC East. This team is well ahead of schedule in its rebuild, and now it’s time for the organization to capitalize on having arguably the game’s most valuable asset.
New England must go all-in during the offseason, and there’s no better way to do that than by pulling off a Maxx Crosby trade. Even with his contract on the books, the Patriots should still have enough money to sign free agents like Kyle Pitts or Tyler Linderbaum and create a championship-caliber roster.
