For the second time this season, Maxx Crosby has shaken the NFL to its very core. According to NFL insider Jay Glazer, the star pass rusher is done with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he wants to be traded before the 2026 season.
Crosby is a Michigan native, and given his previous praise for head coach Dan Campbell, it didn't take long before the Detroit Lions' name was brought up in potential trade talks. Crosby certainly fits the ferocious competitive nature that comes with playing for Coach Campbell.
Having said that, the Lions may not want to enter his sweepstakes, assuming he's, in fact, going to be traded. It may sound wild, given that he's a top-three pass rusher in the game, but this team may not be able to afford his pursuit.
The Detroit Lions Need to Steer Clear of Maxx Crosby
In his report, Glazer also said that whoever wanted to trade for Crosby would probably have to give up more than what the Green Bay Packers gave up for Micah Parsons. That means giving up at least two first-round picks plus a starting-caliber player, and that's not in the Lions' best interests.
More than that, even if Detroit had enough wiggle room in terms of assets to do so, Crosby would come with a big cap hit. The Lions would have to take $30 million, and they're already slightly $8 million over the expected 2026 season's figure, according to Over The Cap.
Of course, that's not to say that a player of Crosby's caliber isn't worth all that sacrifice, but the Lions already have a star pass rusher in Aidan Hutchinson. His raw numbers may not be as impressive, but his impact on defense is evident, and the team might be better off utilizing those resources differently.
GM Brad Holmes has proven to be great at finding talent. Finding the next Maxx Crosby might be too much to ask, but he's earned the benefit of the doubt. Giving up two first-round picks to land a 28-year-old with a history of injuries might not be the smartest way to utilize those picks.
The Lions want to make a statement as they return to Super Bowl contention next season, and one could argue that few players fit their philosophy like Maxx Crosby. Even so, just because a star becomes available, it doesn't mean they have to get him.