Why the Patriots Should Be All-In on a Maxx Crosby Trade
The New England Patriots are coming off one of their most transformative offseasons in recent memory. The hiring of Mike Vrabel wasn’t just a symbolic nod to the franchise’s past-it was a calculated move to reset the culture and bring a winning edge back to Foxborough.
Vrabel was given the keys to the castle, from assembling his own coaching staff to having the green light to spend big in free agency. The result?
A rebuilt roster that punched its ticket to the Super Bowl.
But in the NFL, standing still is moving backward. If the Patriots want to stay in the contender conversation, they’ll need to keep swinging big-and there may be no bigger swing this offseason than making a move for Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Crosby’s Discontent in Vegas: A Window of Opportunity
Maxx Crosby hasn’t formally demanded a trade, but the signs are there. Frustration has been bubbling beneath the surface in Las Vegas, and it’s not just about wins and losses.
According to reports, the disconnect traces back to how the Raiders handled Crosby’s knee injury late in the season. He was shut down for the final two games, a decision he reportedly disagreed with-both in terms of the medical reasoning and the way it was communicated.
The belief on Crosby’s side is that the Raiders prioritized draft positioning over player input, and that left a mark. Even though Crosby has long been loyal to the organization-publicly aligning himself with owner Mark Davis and expressing a desire to be a Raider for life-this recent episode has shifted the dynamic. Raiders leadership, including Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero in advisory roles, now face what’s been described as serious "fence-mending" if they want to keep their All-Pro pass rusher happy.
That’s where New England comes in.
The Vrabel Connection
Crosby has made it clear-he wants to play for Mike Vrabel. That’s not speculation; it’s been confirmed by multiple insiders, including The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
And it’s not hard to see why. Vrabel’s defensive pedigree, player-first approach, and ability to get the most out of his guys are exactly the kind of qualities that appeal to a player like Crosby, who thrives on intensity and accountability.
There’s also a connection to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who coached Crosby during his stint as Raiders head coach. During those two seasons, Crosby posted a combined 27 sacks-the most productive stretch of his career-and twice finished in the top six for Defensive Player of the Year voting. That familiarity, paired with Vrabel’s leadership, makes New England a natural fit.
What It Would Take to Get Him
Crosby isn’t just any pass rusher-he’s one of the most disruptive forces in the league. And he’s paid like it.
He signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension last offseason, with $95 million guaranteed. That deal runs through 2029, so any trade would be a major financial and strategic move.
But it’s not impossible. If the Raiders were to move him, they’d save over $30 million in cap space and could command a massive return.
Think Micah Parsons-level compensation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that it would take a similar package to what the Cowboys gave up to acquire Parsons-two first-round picks and a high-level player like Kenny Clark.
For the Patriots, that kind of deal would sting-but it’s doable. They hold the 31st overall pick in the upcoming draft and could pair that with a future second-rounder and a young, ascending player like Christian Barmore. That’s a steep price, but for a game-wrecker like Crosby, it’s a conversation worth having.
Building a Defensive Front to Fear
Even with the additions of Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson last offseason, the Patriots still have room to grow on the edge. Landry, while productive, dealt with a lingering knee issue and posted his lowest tackle total since his rookie year. He still led the team in sacks (8.5) and tied for the most pressures (23), but the consistency wasn’t there.
Chaisson, on a one-year prove-it deal, delivered the best season of his career-7.5 sacks, 31 tackles, 18 QB hits, and 23 pressures. He came up big in the playoffs and proved he belongs in the Patriots’ aggressive front.
Bringing him back would be a smart move. Pairing him with Crosby?
That’s a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Add Milton Williams into the mix on the interior, and suddenly you’re looking at a front seven that can dictate games. There’s also familiarity here-Crosby played alongside both Chaisson and linebacker Robert Spillane in 2024. The chemistry is already built in.
A Destination Team Again
With Vrabel at the helm and a Super Bowl appearance already under his belt, the Patriots are once again a team that players want to join. That matters in free agency, and it matters when trying to convince a star like Crosby that New England is the right next chapter in his career.
Yes, trading for a player of Crosby’s caliber comes with risk. It’s expensive, both in cap space and draft capital.
But it’s also the kind of move that signals to the rest of the league-and your own locker room-that you’re not here to just make noise. You’re here to win it all.
If the Patriots want to stay in the Super Bowl conversation, they can’t afford to play it safe. Maxx Crosby might just be the piece that pushes them from contenders to champions.