If the Buccaneers want to take a big step toward being true contenders next season, they should at least explore trading for Maxx Crosby. He’s one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL, and while bringing him to Tampa Bay wouldn’t come cheap, the potential reward is huge, especially for a defense that has struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks.
Crosby has been one of the league’s best at getting after the passer for years, and there’s a lot of smoke around the idea that his time with the Raiders might be coming to an end. Reports have come out in the last week suggesting Crosby has made it known to people inside the Raiders organization that he’s unhappy and doesn’t want to keep rebuilding in Las Vegas after another rough season.
One of the reasons Crosby is such an intriguing trade target is his contract. He’s under a three-year, $106.5 million deal that he signed in 2025, which makes him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league. According to Over The Cap, that includes about $62.5 million fully guaranteed, and his cap hit for 2026 sits around $35.8 million.Despite that hefty number, his contract is structured in a really team-friendly way. If the Raiders were to trade him, they’d only eat around $5 million in dead cap in 2026, which makes him much easier for another team to take on than you might think.
So what would it cost the Bucs? Trade chatter around the league suggests it could be in the ballpark of at least one first-round pick and maybe a second as well, and maybe even a player included to sweeten the deal. That kind of price is similar to what we saw when someone like Micah Parsons was traded, and Crosby is still a top-tier player in his own right.
Why would the Bucs even consider giving that up? Tampa Bay has shown they can score with anyone, but they haven’t had a truly dominant edge presence in a few years. Crosby doesn’t just bring sacks; he brings constant pressure and the kind of energy that lifts a whole defense. Pairing him with the rest of Tampa’s defensive talent – and giving Yaya Diaby a true running mate on the opposite side could get the Buccaneers defense over the hump.There’s also a timing angle. Crosby is still in his physical prime at only 28, and his cap hits drop in the years after 2026, so there’s room to build around him for multiple seasons if the Bucs want to stay competitive.
Of course, this isn’t guaranteed to happen.
The Raiders’ leadership has publicly said they want Crosby to stay, and any trade would require negotiations and likely some creative roster maneuvering on Tampa Bay’s end. But if there’s a way to bring in an elite difference-maker who can change how opponents game-plan against the Bucs, it’s worth at least kicking the tires on a Maxx Crosby deal. It’s worth considering pushing the chips to the middle of the table to take advantage of their roster and make a push for another championship.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Why should the Bucs consider trading for All-Pro Maxx Crosby?
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
