The Detroit Lions are emerging as a top destination in the NFL for talented players who prioritize winning, positioning them well to find a solid replacement for the injured defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
However, as the November 5 trade deadline approaches, players around the league don’t have the same level of freedom to switch teams as they do during the offseason. For example, Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who hails from Michigan, cannot simply choose to join the Lions. Nevertheless, Detroit has the option to contact Las Vegas and make a significant offer to leverage their current championship window.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested this strategy to the Lions on October 16. He mentioned, “Is it worth calling the Raiders about Maxx Crosby, considering Las Vegas’ 2-4 start? I highly doubt they would trade him, but it’s worth inquiring.”
While the Lions can certainly ask, they will likely need to present a substantial offer to get the Raiders’ attention. FanDuel’s official account proposed an example of what that offer could look like, suggesting that the Lions could bring Crosby back home in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
Crosby, who was born about an hour from Detroit, is currently under a four-year contract worth $94 million, which extends through 2026. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl for the last three seasons and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2023.
At 27 years old, Crosby has recorded 97 tackles for loss and 57.5 sacks in 88 career NFL games, including 82 starts. He is currently tied for the league lead in tackles for loss with nine, a category he has led for the past two seasons, and has also achieved 5.5 sacks despite missing one game due to injury.
