If Maxx Crosby ends up on the trade block this offseason, buckle up-because things could get wild. The five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher may finally be ready to move on from the Raiders, and if that happens, he reportedly has a few teams in mind: the 49ers, Cowboys, and Lions.
While San Francisco is very much in the mix, word is Crosby might actually lean more toward Dallas or Detroit. That’s significant, especially considering the Raiders would likely want to send him somewhere he’s on board with. When you’re talking about a player of Crosby’s caliber-relentless motor, elite production, and a tone-setting presence in the locker room-his preferences carry real weight in any trade discussion.
Crosby’s name has floated in trade rumors for years, but he’s always been vocal about wanting to stay in Vegas. That loyalty, though, seems to have hit a breaking point.
According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Crosby may have played his final snap for the Raiders. The tipping point?
The team shutting him down for the final stretch of the 2025 season due to injury. That decision reportedly didn’t sit well with Crosby, who felt blindsided and frustrated after years of carrying the defense through dysfunction and losing seasons.
Glazer painted a pretty vivid picture of just how fed up Crosby was. According to him, Crosby was so frustrated he left the facility and told people close to him that he wanted out, flat-out saying, “I’m done.” That’s not just smoke-that’s a five-alarm fire.
Now, the question becomes: what kind of return would the Raiders command for a player like Crosby?
Glazer suggested it could take a haul-something even bigger than the package Dallas received for Micah Parsons, which included two first-rounders and defensive lineman Kenny Clark. That’s a massive ask, and not everyone agrees it’ll take that much.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport sees Crosby’s value more in the range of a late first-round pick. Still, even at that price, teams will be lining up.
Dallas has already shown interest-they reportedly made inquiries about Crosby at last year’s trade deadline. Given their aggressive approach and need for another dominant edge presence opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, they’re a team to watch closely.
San Francisco, meanwhile, was sniffing around Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson before the deadline. That tells you they’re in the market for help on the edge, and Crosby would be a massive addition to a defense that’s already stacked with talent.
Then there’s Detroit. The Lions have been more cautious when it comes to big-money moves, largely because of cap constraints and a wave of extensions for their homegrown stars.
But after missing the playoffs in 2025 and watching their Super Bowl window start to narrow, GM Brad Holmes might feel the pressure to make a splash. Crosby could be the kind of game-changer who tips the scales in the NFC North.
One more dark horse to keep an eye on: the New England Patriots. Crosby has reportedly expressed interest in playing for head coach Mike Vrabel. With Vrabel now in charge in Foxborough, New England could emerge as a surprise suitor if the Raiders open the bidding.
Bottom line: if Maxx Crosby is truly available, the market will be fierce. But if the 49ers, Cowboys, and Lions are on his short list, those teams will have a head start-and they’ll need it.
Because adding Crosby isn’t just about getting a top-tier edge rusher. It’s about bringing in a culture-changer, a tone-setter, and one of the most relentless competitors in the league.