The Buffalo Bills are heading into the 2026 offseason with urgency-and for good reason. After another postseason exit that fell short of expectations, the franchise is facing a pivotal moment. With Josh Allen still very much in his prime and the Super Bowl window wide open (but not guaranteed to stay that way), the time to make bold moves is now.
The first domino already fell when the Bills parted ways with longtime head coach Sean McDermott. Rather than looking outside the building, they promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the top job. That decision signals a desire for continuity on offense, but it also puts the spotlight squarely on the front office to upgrade the roster-on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the need is clear: Allen needs more weapons. The Bills’ passing game lacked consistency at times last season, and while Keon Coleman showed flashes, Buffalo still needs more firepower to keep pace with the AFC’s elite. But the defense, especially the pass rush, could be where the biggest splash happens.
Enter Maxx Crosby.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher has been floated as a potential trade target for Buffalo, and it’s not hard to see why. Crosby is coming off a monster 2025 season-73 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception, and six passes defended.
That’s not just production; that’s disruption. He’s the kind of player who changes game plans and wrecks drives.
One trade scenario that’s been suggested would see the Bills send a hefty package to Vegas: a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-rounder, and wide receiver Keon Coleman. It’s a steep price-but acquiring a player like Crosby rarely comes cheap.
CBS Sports analyst Tyler Sullivan laid out the logic behind such a move, pointing out that while Buffalo needs to bolster its offense, it also has to maximize the roster while Allen is still operating at an MVP level. And that includes fixing a pass rush that ranked in the bottom third of the league in pressures last season, per TruMedia.
That’s a problem when you’re trying to get past quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and now Drake Maye-all of whom could be standing between Buffalo and a Super Bowl berth in 2026. Adding someone like Crosby doesn’t just help you get after those guys-it changes the entire complexion of your defense.
With Joey Bosa’s one-year stint in Buffalo now in the rearview mirror, the Bills have an opening on the edge. Crosby would fill it-and then some.
He brings relentless motor, elite production, and leadership. He’s the kind of tone-setter this defense could use, especially in high-stakes playoff matchups.
Of course, there’s no guarantee a deal gets done. But the fact that this kind of move is even being discussed tells you where the Bills are mentally heading into this offseason.
They’re not looking to tread water. They’re looking to make waves.
And if they do land Crosby? The rest of the AFC better take notice.