If Maxx Crosby really is on the move this offseason, buckle up-because the landscape of the NFL pass rush could be in for a serious shake-up.
According to reporting from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Crosby’s time in Las Vegas may be nearing its end. The Raiders’ star edge rusher, a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most relentless defensive forces, is reportedly pushing for a trade-and Glazer believes it could happen before April’s draft.
The tension between Crosby and the Raiders has been brewing for a while, but things appeared to boil over late in the 2025 season. After the team decided to shut him down for the final two games, Crosby wasn’t having it.
He reportedly stormed out of the facility, frustrated by the decision and the team’s continued struggles in the win column. For a player who’s built his career on effort, intensity, and availability, being told to sit likely felt like a betrayal of everything he brings to the field.
Now, with trade chatter heating up, a handful of contenders should be paying close attention-especially the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions.
Let’s start with Buffalo. The Bills are right in the thick of their championship window, and while Josh Allen continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, the defense still lacks that one elite edge presence who can take over a game late in January.
Crosby could be that guy. He’s not just a stat-sheet stuffer-he’s a tone-setter, a player who brings energy and leadership every snap.
Plug him into a defense that already features talent at all three levels, and suddenly Buffalo’s path through the AFC gets a whole lot more intimidating.
But the Bills aren’t the only team that should be circling the Raiders’ phone line.
The 49ers, fresh off another deep playoff run, already boast one of the most feared pass rushers in the game in Nick Bosa. Pairing Crosby with Bosa would give San Francisco a nightmare tandem on the edges-two high-motor, high-production players who can wreck a game plan by themselves, let alone together.
And then there’s Detroit. The Lions took a major leap this past season, and Aidan Hutchinson has blossomed into a cornerstone defensive piece.
But imagine adding Crosby to that front seven-suddenly, you’ve got a pass rush that can go toe-to-toe with any offensive line in the league. For a team looking to take the final step from contender to champion, a move like this could be the difference-maker.
Of course, much still needs to unfold. Trade talks are fluid, and nothing is guaranteed.
But what’s clear is this: Maxx Crosby wants out, and the Raiders may be ready to make that happen. If they do, the bidding war could get fierce-and the ripple effects will be felt across the NFL.
Crosby is just 28 and still in the heart of his prime. He’s a culture-changer, a locker room leader, and one of the most disruptive players at his position. Whether it’s Buffalo, San Francisco, Detroit, or a surprise suitor, whoever lands him won’t just be getting a pass rusher-they’ll be getting a difference-maker.