When you hear the words “Maxx Crosby trade,” Raiders fans everywhere collectively hold their breath. And rightfully so.
Crosby isn’t just a key piece of Las Vegas’ defense - he is the defense. So when Jason McCourty floated a hypothetical trade sending Crosby to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver George Pickens, it didn’t just raise eyebrows - it set off alarms.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a knock on Pickens. He’s a talented young receiver with upside.
But in this scenario, we’re talking about a straight-up, player-for-player swap. Crosby for Pickens.
No draft picks. No additional assets.
Just one of the league’s premier defensive disruptors in exchange for a receiver who, while promising, hasn’t proven to be on the same level of impact.
That’s where the disconnect lies.
Crosby isn’t just a Pro Bowl edge rusher - he’s the emotional and physical engine of the Raiders’ defense. He plays with a relentless motor, leads by example, and has been the heartbeat of a unit that’s often asked to do more than its fair share.
Even with some late-season drama - including being shut down for a couple of games, reportedly against his wishes - there’s no indication that his issues are with new head coach Klint Kubiak or the incoming staff. There’s still a path forward for Crosby in Vegas, and the idea of moving him for anything less than a franchise-altering return feels premature at best, reckless at worst.
Now, let’s entertain the hypothetical. Say the relationship between Crosby and the Raiders has soured beyond repair.
Even then, the idea of trading him for just George Pickens doesn’t come close to matching value. You’d be solving one issue - perhaps a locker room rift - while creating a dozen more on the field.
This isn’t a team loaded with defensive talent. Crosby is the foundation.
Remove him, and you’re starting over.
And let’s talk value. If you’re moving a player like Crosby, you’re not just looking for potential - you’re demanding proven production and premium draft capital.
Think multiple first-round picks. Think game-changing assets.
A recent trade involving Micah Parsons - arguably the only other defender in Crosby’s tier when it comes to impact - reportedly fetched a hefty haul from Dallas to Green Bay. That’s the price range we’re talking about.
Pickens, meanwhile, has been rumored to be available for as little as a second-round pick this offseason. That’s not to say he’s not talented. But if that’s his perceived market value, then suggesting he could be the centerpiece in a deal for Maxx Crosby feels... off.
To be fair to McCourty, this may have been more of a conversation starter than a serious proposal. It’s possible he was simply highlighting two players who could be involved in a larger deal.
But even then, the framework doesn’t hold up unless there’s a massive infusion of draft capital heading to Vegas. Because at the end of the day, trading away your best player - especially when your defense is already in need of a rebuild - only makes sense if you’re getting the kind of return that jumpstarts that rebuild.
So yes, it’s February. It’s the season of hypotheticals and trade machines.
But if the Raiders are going to entertain calls on Crosby, it better be for a king’s ransom. A player like Pickens might be a nice piece to include, but he’s not the centerpiece.
Not even close.