Why the Patriots Should Be Watching the Maxx Crosby Situation Very Closely
Week 17 is here, and while most of the league is still scrambling for playoff positioning, the New England Patriots are sitting in a spot few expected back in September. In Year 1 under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Pats have quietly become one of the AFC’s most intriguing threats. And with the season winding down, the real fun might just be getting started.
New England is projected to enter the offseason with over $61.7 million in salary cap space, per Spotrac. That’s not just wiggle room - that’s the kind of financial flexibility that can reshape a roster. Add to that the fact that the team only has six pending unrestricted free agents, and you’ve got a franchise with the rare opportunity to build aggressively without worrying about too many internal fires to put out.
Which brings us to a name that’s suddenly back on the radar: Maxx Crosby.
A Star Defender on Shaky Ground
Things in Las Vegas have taken a turn. According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Crosby walked out of the Raiders’ facility after head coach Pete Carroll told him he wouldn’t be playing in Week 17. That’s not a small reaction - especially coming from one of the league’s most respected defensive leaders.
Crosby reportedly “vehemently disagreed” with the decision, and while nothing official has been said about his future, it’s hard not to read the writing on the wall. This isn’t the first time his name has surfaced in trade rumors, but the tension this time feels different. If this is indeed the breaking point, the Raiders may find themselves forced to consider moving their top defensive asset.
And if that happens, the Patriots should be among the first teams making a call.
Why Maxx Crosby Makes Sense in Foxborough
Let’s be honest: New England’s pass rush needs help. Through 16 weeks, the Patriots rank near the bottom of the league in almost every major pass-rushing category - just 31 sacks (24th in the NFL), 103 pressures (tied for 25th), and a 19.6% pressure rate (25th). That’s not going to cut it in a conference where quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow are the norm.
Enter Crosby - a relentless edge rusher who, even in a season that hasn’t been his most dominant, is still putting up elite-level disruption numbers. In 15 games, he’s logged 53 pressures (31 hurries, 12 QB hits, 10 sacks), along with 46 solo tackles and even an interception. That’s production most teams would kill for - and it marks the third time in four seasons that he’s hit double-digit sacks.
For context, the Patriots’ current sack leaders - Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson - sit at 8.5 and 6.5 sacks, respectively. Chaisson has been a pleasant surprise, but with his contract up this offseason, there’s a real question as to whether New England sees him as a long-term investment or a player who happened to catch lightning in a bottle.
A Familiar Face Could Help Seal the Deal
There’s another wrinkle here that could work in New England’s favor: Josh McDaniels.
The Patriots’ offensive coordinator spent two seasons as the Raiders’ head coach - the same two seasons that Crosby delivered the best stretch of his career: 27 sacks over two years and back-to-back top-six finishes in AP Defensive Player of the Year voting. That’s not a coincidence.
Now, McDaniels wouldn’t be coaching Crosby directly in New England, but the familiarity matters. Relationships matter. And if Crosby’s looking for a fresh start, a reunion with a coach who knows what he brings to the table could be a compelling part of the pitch.
Building a Dominant Defensive Front
Adding Crosby wouldn’t just boost the Patriots’ pass rush - it could transform the entire defensive line. Imagine a healthy front anchored by Crosby, Milton Williams, and Christian Barmore.
That’s a unit that could go toe-to-toe with any offensive line in the league. It’s not just about sacks - it’s about collapsing pockets, forcing mistakes, and giving your secondary a chance to make plays.
And this wouldn’t be a short-term rental. Crosby is under contract after signing a three-year, $106.5 million extension back in March.
That means any trade would bring long-term stability at one of the game’s most valuable positions. Yes, the cost - both in draft capital and cap space - would be significant.
But the Patriots have the flexibility to absorb it, and more importantly, the need to make a move that elevates their ceiling.
Swing Big, Win Big
The best teams don’t wait around for success to find them - they go get it. And if the Patriots want to take the leap from “surprising contender” to legitimate Super Bowl threat, bold moves like this are how it happens.
Maxx Crosby isn’t just a name on the trade block. He’s a tone-setter, a locker room leader, and a game-wrecker.
If things in Vegas are truly unraveling, New England should be ready to pounce. Because with the right pieces in place - and Crosby in the fold - this Patriots defense could become the kind of unit that gives even the AFC’s best quarterbacks nightmares.
And that’s how championship windows open.