The Las Vegas Raiders could be on the verge of imploding.
Although this was Antonio Pierce’s first full season as coach, Las Vegas did not have high expectations for competition, especially with well-traveled veteran Gardner Minshew and sophomore pro year Aidan O’Connell as the main options under center.
Things got worse when Davante Adams requested a trade and was eventually granted the New York Jetswhere he reunited with former Green Bay Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers.
With Adams cropped out of the picture, the focus shifts to Maxx Crosby. The 27-year-old peak runner is the Raiders’ only remaining star, and the three-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time second-team All-Pro is coming off back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns (12.5 and 14.5, respectively) with 5.5 already under its belt. name through five games in 2024.
If Crosby, who is under contract Until 2026, without staying in Vegas, these teams should make the trade call, even if the price is expensive:
Detroit Lions
This one is a no-brainer. The Lions should certainly be in the market for a marquee player with Aidan Hutchinson likely out for the season. because of abrgood shin.
While coach Dan Campbell doesn’t want to rule out a possible return for Hutchinson this season, there is no guarantee that it will happen and speculating won’t solve any problems. Crosby would help the Lions maintain their status as legitimate NFC contenders while further strengthening them once Hutchinson is healthy.
Washington Commanders
THE Commanders are living up to their early-season sleeper status, with Jayden Daniels looking more than comfortable as a rookie signal-caller. This could persuade the front office to make winning moves sooner rather than later, especially since the NFC East title is a strong possibility.
Like Detroit, Washington is also dealing with injuries on the defensive line, with tackle Jonathan Allen ruled out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Crosby doesn’t plug the same hole, but he would be a boost.
Chicago Bear
The Bears don’t have to worry about injury issues on the defensive line yet, although they do have production issues. After landing Montez Sweat from Washington in 2023, Chicago spent time trying to figure out who to play opposite him.
Darrell Taylor came over from the Seattle Seahawks and DeMarcus Walker is getting involved, but Crosby would easily be an upgrade over both, while Gervon Dexter Sr. shows strong potential as an interior lineman in his second NFL season .
Buffalo Bills
Las Vegas would probably prefer to send Crosby to the opposite conference, although some AFC teams might make sense. One of these teams is already involved in the NFL trade market, as Invoices solved their wide receiver problems by acquiring Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
But if they continue to go all-in, Crosby would be an immediate advantage over Greg Rousseau and AJ Epenesa. If they somehow manage to get Von Miller’s contract out of the deal, it would make even more sense.
San Francisco 49ers
THE 49ers should at least examine the possibility of this trade taking place. They are in the opposite conference, and the rivalry between the teams is no longer the same after the Raiders moved from Oakland to Vegas.
San Francisco has been hampered by injuries along its D line, with Javon Hargrave out for the season and new signing Yetur Gross-Matos already on injured reserve. Crosby would give the 49ers the reliable star partner for Nick Bosa that they have continually sought since he was drafted, with names such as Dee Ford and Chase Young, among others, failing to pan out.
A deal may not be realistic, but some due diligence wouldn’t hurt.
Download and follow the 49ers Talk podcast
