In a wide-ranging post touching on the uncertain futures of several veteran pass-rushers entering this offseason, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport made an interesting and potentially revealing note on Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
In Crosby’s section, Rapoport included this line: “Trading Crosby for a bounty of picks would be one way to expedite that process, and Crosby might welcome the change, particularly if it’s to a playoff team where he knows people (e.g. Green Bay).”
The Raiders are starting over with new head coach Pete Carroll and may not be in a position to compete right away in the loaded AFC West, especially considering the team’s current quarterback situation.
Crosby might not want to wait for the Raiders to rebuild, again. And the All-Pro is familiar with several players and/or coaches in Green Bay, including running back Josh Jacobs and cornerback Keisean Nixon, two former teammates with the Raiders, and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who was the Raiders assistant head coach for three years and the interim head coach for one year with Crosby.
Crosby, 27, went to four straight Pro Bowls between 2021 and 2024 and has 59.5 career sacks in 95 games. He led the NFL in tackles for loss in both 2022 and 2023 and has three seasons with 30 or more quarterback hits (2021-23).
Nixon is campaigning for Crosby online:
@CrosbyMaxx Come Be Great Wit A Real Team My Boi… https://t.co/TTHUrOKzHM
— K9 (@keiseannixon) February 11, 2025
Familiarity matters for players, and it wouldn’t take long for Crosby to find out what the Packers as a franchise can offer the win-starved pass-rusher. Nixon’s career took off with the Packers, and Jacobs arrived in Green Bay in 2024 and enjoyed one of his best seasons for a playoff team.
Acquiring Crosby — a relentless rusher who almost never comes off the field — would give the Packers defensive front a true game-changer, although he will be costly in a potential trade given his age, production and contract.
The Packers fancy themselves serious about competing for a championship in 2025. Making a big splash in the trade market could be one way to move the roster forward.
Crosby isn’t the only pass-rusher with an uncertain future this offseason. Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson also could be moved by their respective teams before the start of the 2025 season.