Las Vegas Raiders superstar defensive end Maxx Crosby appeared frustrated throughout Sunday's 32-13 blowout defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Crosby was seen shoving linebackers coach Mike Caldwell on the sideline, though he later denied it being malicious. Either way, the Raiders are a team in freefall.
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The Raiders are expected to trade wide receiver Davante Adams prior to the NFL trade deadline (Nov. 5). At 2-4, general manager Tom Telesco should be willing to sell off assets in exchange for future draft capital. Perhaps Telesco would consider moving Crosby if the right offer arrived.
We've identified three potential landing spots for Crosby.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions lost superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a devastating season-ending lower leg injury in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys. Prior to suffering the injury, Hutchinson was leading the league in pressures and sacks (7.5). It's a horrid blow to the 4-1 Lions' Super Bowl chances.
Crosby is a Lapeer, Michigan native and has previously professed his admiration for the Lions franchise. Crosby possesses sizable cap charges through the 2026 campaign, but the Lions currently have the fourth-most cap space ($28.5 million) in the league and are scheduled to have more than $65 million in financial flexibility next offseason, according to OverTheCap. General manager Brad Holmes should make the call.
Arizona Cardinals
The 2-4 Arizona Cardinals shouldn't be buyers at the trade deadline, but acquiring an elite pass rusher like Crosby would be a rare opportunity. The Cardinals have recorded a 25th-best 11 sacks this season. Last year, they finished 30th in quarterback takedowns with 33. Applying pressure has been a recurring, consistent issue.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a defensive-minded coach who once oversaw a historic 70-sack season in Philadelphia. The Cardinals are attempting to move forward in their rebuild with building blocks like Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. General manager Monti Ossenfort is scheduled to possess the second-most 'effective' cap space ($101.6 million) of any team in the league next offseason. Crosby would solve a long-term problem.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders went blow for blow with the Super Bowl-contending Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, losing 30-23. The surging Commanders still sit atop the NFC East and appear to be the best team in the division. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been a total revelation, and his squad is playing like legitimate postseason hopefuls.
Commanders general manager Adam Peters should continue investing in his roster now that he's solved the QB position. Now's the time to be aggressive with Daniels on his five-year rookie contract. Dan Quinn is a defense-first head coach who has seen his unit record a respectable 17 sacks, but they lack a true difference-maker on the edge, with players like Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. serving as the starters.
Crosby is in another stratosphere. The Commanders have the fifth-most cap space in the league ($26.5 million) right now and are aligned for a spending spree next offseason with more than $120 million in available funds. Peters could consider making a play for additional support around Daniels, but Crosby would be an intriguing alternative.
