The idea of Maxx Crosby in a Lions uniform has been hanging around Detroit for a long time, and it hasn’t lost much steam. A Michigan native with a relentless edge to his game, Crosby has long looked like the kind of player who would fit naturally in Detroit. That dream still has believers.
One of them is Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, who in a Wednesday, Oct. 21, piece before the NFL’s Week 7 slate highlighted five players he’d "like to see get a change of scenery." Crosby made the list, with Dajani pointing to him as a possible trade target before the November deadline. He linked the defensive end to both the Lions and the Chicago Bears.
Dajani’s case centers on exactly why Crosby keeps coming up in Detroit conversations. "Crosby is one of the most aggressive and well-rounded pass rushers in the NFL," Dajani notes. "Not only does he get after quarterbacks, having recorded four double-digit sack seasons, including in 2025, but he plays a high percentage of defensive snaps each year and is effective against the run as well."
The numbers back up the reputation. Since Crosby was selected in the fourth round in 2019, no player has piled up more tackles for loss than his 135, according to Dajani’s research. For a player that productive, the draft-day value only makes the pitch stronger.
And for Detroit, the fit is obvious from a football standpoint. The Lions’ offense is humming, but the defense remains the side of the ball that’s keeping the team from reaching another level. A move for Crosby would be one direct way to try to change that.
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A big part of the optimism is what still appears to be coming. The defensive front has shown more bite, the secondary has steadied in stretches, and the team is set up to get healthier after the bye with key pieces coming back into the mix. Add in a remaining schedule that does not look overwhelming, and the case for the Lions as a legitimate contender suddenly feels a lot less theoretical. [Read more 🡒]
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For the Lions, that creates a very specific kind of problem. Detroit has struggled to handle deep shots, and the Packers have shown they can punish teams in those areas while also targeting the middle of the field with confidence. A few personnel changes could shape how much balance Green Bay can bring back into the offense, and that is what makes this matchup worth watching closely as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Campbell Sees Something Even Scarier In Penei Sewell
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That is what makes Sewell such a fascinating piece of Detroits foundation. He is already a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL All-Pro, yet both he and Campbell see more improvement ahead, and Sewell has pointed to his daily battles with Aidan Hutchinson as a big reason he keeps pushing his level higher. For a Lions offense and team identity built on toughness up front, that kind of internal competition is exactly the sort of thing that can keep getting scarier. [Read more 🡒]