Could Maxx Crosby Be Philly-Bound? Why the Eagles Could Make a Bold Move for the Raiders Star
There’s smoke swirling around Las Vegas, and it’s not from the Strip. Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby is reportedly unhappy, and in today’s NFL, that kind of discontent rarely stays quiet for long. While Crosby hasn’t formally asked out, the signs are there - and you can bet Howie Roseman is paying attention.
The Eagles’ GM has built a reputation as one of the league’s most aggressive dealmakers. If a star player is even remotely available, Roseman’s name tends to surface. And Crosby, a relentless pass rusher with double-digit sacks last season on a 3-14 team, fits the mold of the kind of difference-maker Philly loves to chase.
But pulling off a trade for Crosby would be anything but simple.
The Crosby Conundrum
Let’s start with the basics: Crosby is 28, coming off a 10-sack season, and still one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the league. He’s also expensive - really expensive. His cap hit for 2026 sits at $35.8 million, and if he’s still on the Raiders’ roster by the third day of the new league year (March 15), his $29 million cap hit for 2027 locks in as well.
For a team like the Eagles, who are currently $20.6 million under the projected $301 million salary cap, that’s a major financial hurdle. Trading for Crosby would require some serious cap gymnastics - and likely some tough decisions elsewhere on the roster.
There’s also the matter of compensation. The Raiders aren’t going to let a franchise cornerstone walk for pennies.
They’ll want premium draft capital, and the Eagles, while usually willing to deal, have their own needs to consider. Offensive line depth, wide receiver help, and tight end reinforcements are all on the radar - especially with Lane Johnson’s future uncertain.
Still, Roseman has never been one to shy away from a challenge. If there’s a path to Crosby, he’ll find it. And that path might not be paved entirely with draft picks.
Could Tanner McKee or A.J. Brown Be in Play?
Here’s where things get interesting.
If the Eagles don’t want to part with a treasure trove of early-round picks, they could look to sweeten the deal with player compensation. Two names that could intrigue the Raiders: backup quarterback Tanner McKee and Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown.
McKee, who started the Eagles’ regular-season finale last year, could serve as a bridge quarterback in Vegas - especially if the Raiders are eyeing Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. McKee’s numbers in that lone start (21-of-40, 240 yards) weren’t jaw-dropping, but he’s young, cheap, and has starter upside - the kind of developmental piece a rebuilding team might value.
Then there’s Brown. Trading him would be a seismic move for the Eagles, but if they’re serious about landing Crosby without gutting their draft capital, it’s not off the table.
The Raiders have $91.5 million in cap space and could absorb both Crosby’s departure and Brown’s contract without flinching. Pairing Brown with Davante Adams would give Vegas a legitimate one-two punch at receiver - and a clear signal that the rebuild under new head coach Klint Kubiak is about more than just youth.
Including one or both players could dramatically reduce the draft cost for the Eagles and make the financials more manageable. It’s bold, but Roseman’s never been afraid of bold.
The Cap Crunch and the Ripple Effect
The Eagles’ cap situation makes any big swing tricky. Adding Crosby likely means subtracting somewhere else - and the most obvious candidate is Jaelan Phillips.
Philly traded for Phillips last November, sending a 2026 third-rounder to Miami. But with Crosby in the fold, keeping both edge rushers would be a luxury the Eagles probably can’t afford. If Phillips walks in free agency, the Eagles would likely recoup a compensatory pick in 2027 - potentially a late third-rounder.
Beyond Phillips, there are other key free agents to consider. Linebacker Nakobe Dean, safety Reed Blankenship, and tight end Dallas Goedert are all due for new deals.
Even without a Crosby trade, it’ll be tough to keep all three. Add Crosby’s contract to the mix, and the squeeze gets even tighter.
So yes, Crosby would make the Eagles’ defensive front terrifying. But it would come at a cost - both in dollars and in roster flexibility.
A Familiar Pattern: Philly’s Star-Chasing History
This isn’t the first time the Eagles have been linked to elite pass rushers. There was chatter last season about a blockbuster offer for Myles Garrett - reportedly involving three first-round picks. There were whispers, too, about interest in Micah Parsons before the Cowboys eventually shipped him to Green Bay.
Roseman hasn’t denied those pursuits. In fact, he’s leaned into the idea that calculated risks are part of the Eagles’ DNA.
“When there are opportunities to be aggressive for the right players, we’re not going to sit on our hands,” Roseman said back in November. “You don’t have great success without taking great risks.
We can't be afraid to fail. If we feel passionate about something, if we think the value's right, we're not going to be afraid to pull the trigger.”
That mindset is why a Crosby trade, while complicated, can’t be ruled out. The Eagles are always lurking when a star becomes available - and Crosby, even with his knee surgery and hefty contract, is absolutely a star.
Final Thoughts
There’s no guarantee Maxx Crosby gets traded. He hasn’t asked out, and the Raiders might still try to mend fences under Kubiak. But if things continue to trend the way they are, and Crosby becomes truly available, the Eagles will be in the mix.
They always are.
And if Roseman sees a path - even a narrow, cap-strapped, player-involved one - he’s not going to hesitate. Because in Philly, standing still has never been the plan.