If the New England Patriots are serious about retooling their defense this offseason, adding a premier edge rusher should be near the top of their to-do list. And when it comes to elite talent on the edge, few names carry more weight-or more intrigue right now-than Maxx Crosby.
Crosby’s name has been floating around the trade rumor mill for a while now, but things took a sharper turn late in the 2025 season. That’s when tensions reportedly flared between Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders, stemming from the decision by then-head coach Pete Carroll to shut Crosby down before the season ended-against his wishes. According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Crosby didn’t take that lightly.
“I’ve been on the phone with Maxx a bunch over the last couple days,” Glazer said. “He is not happy.”
That unhappiness has opened the door to a real possibility: Crosby could be on the move this offseason. And if that happens, expect the Raiders to work closely with him on the destination. This isn’t your typical disgruntled-star situation-Crosby is deeply respected in the Raiders organization, and if it comes to a trade, they’ll likely try to honor his preferences.
One of those preferences? New England.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Crosby has told her in the past that he’d like to play for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. That’s a connection worth paying attention to.
Vrabel’s reputation around the league is strong-he’s the kind of coach players want to go to battle for. Tough, demanding, but fair, Vrabel has earned respect not just from his own players, but even from opponents.
Patrick Mahomes once said he’d love to play for Vrabel. That tells you something.
For Crosby, the appeal of New England isn’t just about Vrabel’s leadership-it’s also about the opportunity to win. At 28, he’s in his prime and hungry for more than just personal accolades.
He wants a shot at a Super Bowl. The Patriots, under Vrabel’s guidance and with a promising core already in place, could offer that.
And let’s be clear: Crosby would be a dream fit in Foxborough. He’s relentless off the edge, a high-motor player who brings intensity on every snap.
But it’s not just his pass-rushing ability that makes him special-it’s the leadership, the work ethic, the tone-setting presence he brings to a locker room. That’s exactly the kind of guy Vrabel would want leading his defense.
The Raiders haven’t made any formal moves yet, but the writing may be on the wall. If Crosby does push for a trade-and if Las Vegas is willing to accommodate him-New England makes a lot of sense.
The mutual interest is there. The fit is obvious.
And the stakes? They couldn’t be higher.
We’ll see how this unfolds over the coming weeks, but don’t be surprised if Maxx Crosby ends up wearing a Patriots uniform in 2026. This could be one of the offseason’s biggest moves-and a game-changer for a New England defense looking to take the next step.