The NFL offseason is often just as exciting as the regular season, and the latest development in the Maxx Crosby trade saga is one of the most shocking events in recent memory. Earlier in the week, the Las Vegas Raiders agreed to send their star pass rusher to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks. However, Baltimore backed out of the deal just hours ago after they didn’t feel comfortable with the results of his physical.
The Ravens now have their first-round picks back, but they already lost several key starters during the legal tampering period. The Raiders, meanwhile, have the cap space to take on Crosby’s contract and their free agent spending, but that doesn’t mean they’ll keep Crosby. While the severity of his season-ending injury is somewhat unclear, several other teams should be interested in acquiring the star pass rusher, although the Raiders might not get two first-round picks for his services this time around.
Will the Raiders Trade Maxx Crosby Again After Ravens Fiasco?
Potential Destinations
Prior to the original trade, reports across the league indicated the Ravens, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys were the top suitors in the Maxx Crosby trade war. While Baltimore ultimately won the bidding, it’s only logical to assume the Patriots and Cowboys will remain the top suitors for Crosby.
The Cowboys, however, may have missed their window of opportunity. Dallas already sent a fourth-round pick for Green Bay Packers pass rusher Rashan Gary, and while he’s nowhere near as good as Crosby, it’s hard to envision the team sending away even more picks for a veteran defender. Maxx Crosby can help any team win games, but every team needs some young talent to build a sustainable winner.
The Patriots, meanwhile, still have the resources to trade for Maxx Crosby. While the team signed Dre’Mont Jones to a three-year, $39 million contract, they still have the cap space to add Crosby to the mix. Additionally, the team has 11 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, so they shouldn’t mind parting with some of those selections to land a premium player at one of the game’s most important positions.
The biggest hiccup is that trading for Crosby means they probably won’t be able to get A.J. Brown. New England bolstered their wide receiver depth chart with the Romeo Doubs signing, but this team still needs a legitimate WR1 to bring out the best in budding superstar Drake Maye. Given the state of the franchise, New England would probably prefer to have Brown, and they probably can’t justify two trades of this magnitude.
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