Trade rumors to the Maxx.
The immediate future seems to guarantee one thing for Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders – there will be more questions than answers. It continues to be an offseason where the trade winds swirl around the star pass-rusher, meaning his time in Sin City could be limited.
Crosby has been loyal to the Raiders, sticking around despite plenty of losing between Oakland and Vegas. The Raiders have managed to appear in just one playoff game since drafting the Eastern Michigan product in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
The star defender has done his part though, posting 69.5 sacks and 164 quarterback hits in 110 games. Appearing to be content with the team's direction, Crosby extended his stay in Vegas by inking a three-year, $106.5 million extension last offseason.
That changed by the end of the 2025 season, but general manager John Spytek expects that Crosby will remain with the team into the 2026 season – though the GM didn't rule out a trade, telling reporters on Feb. 24 that he will always listen.
If a trade does materialize, here's a look at the teams that make sense.
Maxx Crosby landing spots
Chicago Bears
The Bears were expected to take a step forward this season, but it was a giant leap that put them on the verge of the NFC championship game. Are they a pass-rusher away? It's hard to say, but there's no doubt that Crosby would be a nice addition to the Chicago defense, which finished tied for seventh-fewest sacks in the league (35).
Cap space could be a problem, but the Bears should have no problem pulling the trigger on a deal if they think it puts them over the top.
Dallas Cowboys
Crosby grew up in Colleyville, Texas, just outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Cowboys not only make sense for a potential homecoming, but also because the defense desperately needs bodies to slow opposing offenses. Scoring points hasn't been the problem for Dallas. Preventing points has been a different story, however.
Luckily for the Cowboys, they line up nicely for a possible trade. With the looming reality of a franchise tag for George Pickens, he would make sense as a potential piece for a deal involving Crosby. Jerry Jones loves to make a big splash and acquiring the Raiders' star would help offset the loss of Micah Parsons last offseason. That would include securing a new running mate for CeeDee Lamb, since paying him and Pickens top dollar might not make the most sense from a cap perspective.
Tennessee Titans
Some teams have a cap crunch. The Titans are one of those teams that can spend without even thinking about the bank account this offseason. Tennessee's new coaching staff, led by Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll, will look for a second-year leap from Cam Ward, but don't forget about the defense. They can go in a variety of ways this offseason, but Crosby could be a transformative piece for Saleh to land in his second attempt at being an NFL head coach.
Don't discount the reality of the team moving into a new stadium in 2027 either. Ward and Crosby would have the chance to be the faces of the franchise, putting fans in the seats and selling plenty of tickets when the new Nissan Stadium opens in the Music City.
New England Patriots
From Mike Vrabel's former team to his current team, don't sleep on the Patriots. It might feel like ages ago or some alternate timeline, but they did just play in Super Bowl 60. It was a game that ended poorly for New England, but it's the kind that forces some decisions. Do they stick with a methodical build or start swinging for the fences? Last year's free-agent class proved to be game-changing, turning the Patriots into a dominant defensive unit en route to becoming AFC champions.
Conventional wisdom suggests they shouldn't double down and instead focus on offense, but what if Crosby makes an already-great unit even better? New England should make the call and try to capitalize on Drake Maye's rookie contract while they can.
New York Jets
The Jets can be connected to just about every player on the free agent and trade market this offseason. Does Crosby make sense for them? Probably not. Can it be ruled out as a possibility? Absolutely not. The Jets' dreadful season got them the No. 2 pick in a draft with one quarterback prospect at the top. That means that they almost certainly won't compete next season and, barring a miracle, will be right back here next offseason. Trading for Crosby is a win-now move that the Jets don't have the luxury of making.
That doesn't mean they won't though. Another bad season could bring more change to the organization, meaning the front office and coaching staff could take big swings in the hopes of keeping their jobs. With no shortage of draft picks or cap space, the Jets have the assets to acquire whoever they want on the trade or free agent markets, including Crosby.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maxx Crosby best fits: Top trade landing spots for Raiders star