The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a potential rebuild, and their star defensive end Maxx Crosby, a 27-year-old three-time All-Pro, might not be willing to wait for it. With the NFL trade deadline approaching on November 5th, Crosby’s future with the Raiders is uncertain. His recent comments, expressing a strong desire to win, have fueled speculation about a possible trade. Crosby stated, “I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win,” signaling that if the Raiders are headed toward a rebuild, he may push for a move.
Could Maxx Crosby be on the move soon? 👀
“I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win. Whatever that means… but I’m here to win now. WHEREVER I’M GONNA BE, I’m gonna be here to win, so…”
Detroit Lions fans might LOVE these comments #OnePride pic.twitter.com/ZHnfzgCdG4
— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) October 17, 2024
The Raiders have already started making big changes, trading wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets, which raised the possibility of further moves involving key players like Crosby. Despite being labeled “untouchable” by the Raiders, there’s a chance that a trade could happen, especially with teams like the Atlanta Falcons, who are in need of an elite pass rusher, showing interest. The Falcons have the worst pass rush in the NFL, and acquiring a player of Crosby’s caliber could significantly improve their chances of making a deep playoff run.
Crosby would command a high price on the trade market, potentially requiring multiple first-round picks, and several teams, including the Detroit Lions, might be interested in making such an investment. The Falcons, currently sitting at the top of the NFC South with a 4-2 record, have the resources to make a competitive offer and could structure a new contract to fit Crosby under their salary cap. By turning his $24 million salary into a signing bonus and extending his contract, the Falcons could reduce his cap hit and ensure they have a top-tier pass rusher for the foreseeable future.
While pulling off a trade for Crosby would be a challenging and expensive move for the Falcons, the potential payoff is enormous. His youth, talent, and experience would provide an immediate upgrade to their defense and give them a legitimate chance to compete at the highest level. However, whether the Raiders are willing to part with Crosby, and whether the Falcons or any other team can outbid potential suitors, remains to be seen. The chances may be slim, but as Crosby himself hinted, there is still a possibility of a blockbuster trade that could shake up the NFL landscape.
