Maxx Crosby trade chatter intensifies as Buccaneers, Patriots and Bears circle

maxx crosby’s availability has become a focal point this week after the Raiders made their asking price clear: two first-round picks and a player. That demand has prompted interest from multiple teams, raised questions about which franchises will press for a deal now, and left others mapping fallback plans.

Will Buccaneers make a move for Maxx Crosby?

The Buccaneers have emerged as a plausible trade partner but one that faces internal hesitation. The asking price communicated to interested teams last week — two first-round picks plus a player — is steep, and Tampa Bay’s general manager has a history of rarely trading high draft capital. The club also carries lingering doubts about its recent record acquiring edge rushers and finished last season with underwhelming production from a one-year, $14 million signing at that position.

Still, Tampa Bay has a clear need at the edge. YaYa Diaby is the primary pass rusher, and there is guarded optimism about David Walker, a 2025 fourth-round pick who suffered an ACL tear early in training camp. The Bucs hold the 15th overall pick in the draft, which could give them flexibility to craft a package that is less costly in 2026 but still attractive to Las Vegas; one hypothetical across-the-board swap discussed in recent coverage suggested using a lower 2026 pick combined with future assets to bridge the gap.

Any Tampa move would also factor in reported internal influences at the Raiders and the desire by Las Vegas to get maximum value, including from clubs outside the conference.

Patriots, other teams are keeping tabs

Interest in Crosby is broad. A recent update listed Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia and the Rams among teams keeping tabs on the edge rusher’s availability. That same update indicated a trade could materialize in the coming days as clubs begin to spend against cap and cash budgets and finalize rosters.

On the field, Crosby’s recent production provides the rationale for the market: he logged a career-best 28 tackles for loss in 15 games last season, alongside 20 quarterback hits and 10. 0 sacks. Those numbers help explain why multiple contenders are monitoring the situation even as the Raiders weigh how publicly to market the player.

Bears’ contingency if a Maxx Crosby trade fails

Chicago figures prominently among the teams linked to Crosby, but the franchise is also preparing alternatives if no deal emerges. One option under consideration is a short-term reunion with a veteran 9-time Pro Bowler who could address immediate pass-rush needs on a one-year contract.

The Bears pick at No. 25 in the first round, a slot that makes drafting an interior defensive upgrade more practical while leaving edge rusher needs unresolved. The team’s calculus includes balancing long-term roster construction — including potential draft moves in 2027 — against the short-term urgency to improve pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

From a risk perspective, teams weighing a Crosby trade must consider age and recent durability: coverage notes he has missed seven games over the past two years combined, and different updates list him in his late 20s. Those factors, plus the high asking price, are nudging some clubs to line up veteran stopgaps while monitoring whether a clearer market for a trade emerges.

Key takeaways

• The Raiders set an asking price of two first-round picks plus a player; interest appears widespread.
• Buccaneers face internal reasons to pause, but they hold the 15th pick and a clear need at edge.
• Several teams — including New England and others — are watching closely as roster moves accelerate.

Looking ahead, the trade landscape will hinge on whether multiple clubs are willing to meet the Raiders’ steep price and on how teams prioritize immediate pass-rush upgrades versus draft-orientated solutions. If the market tightens in the coming days as spending and roster deadlines approach, a transaction could follow; if not, expect teams like Chicago to pursue short-term veteran alternatives while keeping tabs on longer-term draft avenues.