Raiders' star defender Maxx Crosby could revitalize Tampa Bay Buccaneers' faltering defense. Explore a potential blockbuster trade to reclaim their championship edge.
After a scorching hot 5-1 start to the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the year 3-8, ending their four-year reign as NFC South champions.
Much of this slide was due to lack of execution and the defense being unable to get crucial stops in the fourth quarter. Now, with Bucs linebacker Lavonte David mulling retirement, the defense may become even weaker.
Rumors have been flying about Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is seemingly finished in Las Vegas. Crosby signed a three-year, $109.5 million extension last March that made him the highest-paid pass rusher in the league until Micah Parsons broke the bank in August.
To get Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in December, the Green Bay Packers gave up two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Crosby is definitely worth the payout, ranking as the No. 14 highest-graded edge rusher last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Crosby’s 46 defensive stops were tied for the second most among edge defenders, while his 10 sacks led the team.
Speaking with long-time draft analyst Jon Ledyard on Tuesday, Tom Krasniqi, host of 95. 7 WDAE's afternoon show, hypothesized what a possible trade for Crosby could look like.
In late January, former Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden joined the show, telling Krasniqi that the Bucs should go after Crosby, calling him "the most impactful edge rusher in football."
Ledyard proposed a package centered around the Bucs' 2026 No. 15 overall draft pick. Tampa Bay would add an additional 2027 third-round pick and right tackle Luke Goedeke.
The Raiders reportedly want two first-round draft picks and a player the caliber of Kenny Clark for Crosby, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.
Ledyard added that the Bucs have rookie offensive tackle Benjamin Chukwuma "waiting in the wings" to replace Goedeke on the line. Krasniqi seemed confident in Chukwuma's abilities, calling him a "diamond in the rough" with "a lot of untapped potential."
If acquired, Crosby would join a defensive line unit of Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea and Yaya Diaby, forming one of the most formidable groups in the NFC.
The Buccaneers' front office has show little interest in pursuring Crosby, but defensive edge help is definitely a big need.
Thus far, the Chicago Bears have been Crosby's primary suitor, with their odds of landing Crosby jumping from +600 to -135 overnight Monday.
If Tampa Bay is serious about reversing its late-season slide, a move for Crosby would signal more than urgency -- it would signal intent. Adding an elite, experienced pass rusher could be the catalyst that transforms the Bucs back into a division favorite.
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