The Vikings have spent much of the week tied to backfield trade buzz, with Jonathan Taylor still on the table. But the deadline chatter in Minnesota has widened, and now the conversation has turned toward a far bigger swing: Maxx Crosby.
If the Raiders are willing to listen, Minnesota could make a serious push for the star pass rusher. Brian Flores’ defense has carried the load for the Vikings this season, and with the offense struggling to find its footing, adding a player like Crosby would instantly change the look of the team. Recent talk from a Vikings insider has only poured more fuel on the idea that this isn’t just idle speculation.
The backdrop matters here, too. Las Vegas had previously agreed to send Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this year, but that deal collapsed after Crosby failed his physical. That failed trade only added more intrigue, because it reopened the door for other teams to chase him.
That possibility was discussed on a recent episode of The Skolcial Network, where Tyler Forness of AtoZ Sports and Vikings 1st & Skol addressed the idea of Crosby landing in Minnesota. Forness said he believed the rumors may have real substance based on information he had received.
It still wouldn’t be a simple move, though. A deal for Crosby would likely take a heavy price, with Minnesota potentially needing to part with two first-round picks or a comparable package to get Las Vegas to budge.
One suggested framework from AtoZ Sports’ NFL Trade Simulator had the Vikings sending a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick to the Raiders. In that scenario, Minnesota would receive Crosby and a 2028 sixth-round pick.
The Vikings may also be linked to another familiar name. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned Minnesota as a possible destination for Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Fowler noted, “Cousins played well enough through seven games that he has trade value. So does his contract, which, after being reworked, features a $1.3 million base salary.
Aidan O’Connell, the Raiders’ QB3, is a former starter who could slide into the primary backup role to Fernando Mendoza if Las Vegas is ready to start the rookie.”
ESPN’s Matt Bowen also weighed in on Cousins, pointing to his strong play in 2026 and noting that he has thrown 16 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Bowen added that Cousins is a pure pocket passer who looks his best when running heavy play-action. The Panthers and Giants were also mentioned as possible destinations for the veteran quarterback.
Minnesota still has multiple paths it could take before the deadline. But if the Vikings go after Crosby, the message would be obvious: they’re betting on defense and swinging big.
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