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One of the NFL’s best edge rushers could be on the table for the New England Patriots this offseason as they look to bolster their roster for another Super Bowl run.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby has been the subject of trade rumors since it was reported that he didn’t want to go through another rebuild in Las Vegas. According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, Crosby’s relationship with the Raiders’ brass went sideways after they shut him down for the 2025 season with a knee injury.
“There’s a lot of fence-mending that’s going to need to happen if the Raiders are going to hang on to Maxx Crosby,” Breer said on Tuesday’s Early Edition. “It goes all the way to the top of the organization with Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero. The way the communication happened with the injury in December left a mark.
“This is a guy who’s incredibly loyal to the Raiders organization, wanted to spend his entire career there, and is loyal to Mark Davis as well. Now, he feels betrayed, and I think that there is this feeling, ‘I’m 28 years old, they didn’t do right by me, so now it’s time for me to go find a way to win.’ “
Guerrero, Brady’s longtime trainer, joined the former Patriots quarterback in Vegas as the organization’s “wellness coordinator.” He’s partially responsible for Crosby wanting a fresh start somewhere else, per Breer.
“He was part of communicating the Raiders’ decision, and why they made the decision to shut him down in December, which really angered Maxx,” Breer added. “I believe the day was (December) 23 when they had some scans done, and the Raiders basically told him after the scans, ‘We’re gonna shut you down for the season.’
“Maxx had strong suspicion that the reason they were doing it was to tank for the No. 1 overall pick, which worked. But the communication of it got fouled up. And a lot of people in that building report to Alex Guerrero now, and Alex is seen as the eyes and ears of Tom Brady internally, so there is some fence-mending that would have to happen there.”
If Crosby pushes for a trade, the Patriots would be a near-perfect fit for the five-time Pro Bowler. Coming off an AFC championship, New England will look to upgrade its pass rush and form one of the scariest defensive lines in football. The addition of Crosby would likely give the Patriots one of the NFL’s most feared defenses altogether.
The Pats will have competition for Crosby’s services if he’s indeed made available in trade discussions. That said, head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could put New England atop Crosby’s list of desired landing spots.
Diana Russini follows up her comments about Maxx Crosby wanting to play for Mike Vrabel with Phil Perry on radio row.
“My understanding is there are a bunch of contenders that have already at least signaled interest,” Breer said. “I think the Patriots will be one of them, and I would say that for that player in particular, Mike Vrabel is a draw. They have somebody on staff in Josh McDaniels, who coached him.
“There’s some scheme fit stuff there too, which, who isn’t Maxx Crosby a scheme fit for? It would make a lot of sense, so if there was somebody that I think they could trade for, I think Maxx would be it.”
Crosby racked up 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 15 games last year. He has 69.5 sacks over seven NFL seasons and, until his knee injury at the end of the 2025 campaign, has been remarkably durable throughout his career.
“This would be a phenomenal acquisition if they’re able to do it,” NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots insider Phil Perry said. “They’ve got all kinds of money. This is a time to be aggressive. You’ve got your quarterback on a rookie type of contract. You have two defensive tackles under contract that are really high-level disruptors, and if you can put a high-level edge player with them, that would form maybe the best defensive front in football.”
It’s shaping up to be a busy offseason for Vrabel and the Patriots after a storybook 2025. Now that they’ve reestablished themselves as a winning franchise, they should have an easier time attracting star players this spring.