The Las Vegas Raiders have endured a tough 2024 season, sitting at 3-12 and near the bottom of the AFC after 15 games. Antonio Pierce’s team managed a controversial 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 and will head to Caesars Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
It’s been a challenging year for the Raiders overall, and superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby has also struggled. With only 7.5 sacks and 54 quarterback pressures in 12 games, his performance has fallen short of his usual All-Pro caliber. The 27-year-old will miss the remainder of the season after revealing on December 14 that he needs ankle surgery, which he underwent on December 17.
Although Maxx Crosby’s stats have been down in 2024, the former Eastern Michigan standout remains one of the top defensive players in the NFL. The Raiders found a hidden gem when they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but Crosby’s future with the team is now uncertain.
In a recent episode of his podcast “The Rush with Maxx Crosby,” Crosby expressed his frustrations with his time in Las Vegas.
“Years of inconsistency. New coaches every other year. New teammates. And there’s been plenty of times where I’m like, ‘damn, this D-line is cold,’ and then I come back, and every single one of them is gone,” Crosby said. “It’s like, ‘What the f***? It’s tough, bro, because I feel for Myles (Garrett) because he’s in that same boat.”
Crosby also mentioned his desire to have talks with the Raiders about his future, drawing parallels to Myles Garrett’s situation in Cleveland.
“I have no more guaranteed money,” Crosby explained. “Obviously, there’s going to be a lot of things that need to be talked about. And I’m looking forward to those conversations. I’m really looking forward to this offseason and the process.”
While it’s likely Crosby will remain with the Raiders, these comments may signal that the team could explore trade options. Marissa Myers of The Wright Way Network predicts that Las Vegas may deal Crosby to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason.
The Bills, currently in their Super Bowl window with MVP-candidate Josh Allen leading the charge, have been held back by defensive struggles. Aside from Greg Rousseau, the defensive line has struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks, forcing the offense to rely on shootouts to secure wins. With Von Miller aging, adding Crosby would give Rousseau a dynamic pass-rushing partner.
Trading for Crosby would allow him to join a contender with a winning culture and potentially extend Buffalo’s Super Bowl window. The Bills’ defensive line, featuring star tackle Ed Oliver, is already one of the league’s top units, but acquiring an elite edge rusher like Crosby would elevate it even further.
If Crosby becomes available, the Bills should be aggressive in pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler. The cost of a trade would likely start with at least a first-round pick and additional assets, but for a franchise chasing its first Super Bowl title, it would be a move well worth making.
