The Las Vegas Raiders have had a nightmare 2024 season, as the team is 3-12 and near the bottom of the AFC through 15 games. Antonio Pierce’s squad picked up a controversial 19-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 and will travel to Caesars Superdome to square off against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17.
Not a lot has gone right for the Raiders this season, and superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby has also had a rough year. Crosby posted just 7.5 sacks and 54 quarterback pressures in 12 games this season, which is low for his All-Pro-level standards, and the 27-year-old will miss the rest of the campaign after announcing on Dec.14 that he requires ankle surgery. Crosby had surgery on his ankle on Dec.17.
Though Crosby’s numbers were down in 2024, the former Eastern Michigan standout is still one of the best defensive players in football. Las Vegas found a gem in Crosby when they selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but the superstar’s future with the Raiders is clouded with uncertainty.
Crosby touched on the frustration he has felt during his time with the Raiders in a recent episode of his podcast “The Rush with Maxx Crosby”.
“Years of inconsistency. New coaches every other year. New teammates. And there’s been plenty of times where I’m like, “damn, like, 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 added that he wants to have conversations with the Raiders about the future of the franchise, similar to the Myles Garrett situation in Cleveland.
“I have no more guaranteed money,” Crosby said. “Obviously there’s gonna 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 off season and the process.”
Though Crosby will likely remain a Raider, and these comments made on his podcast likely won’t amount to anything, The Wright Way Network’s Marissa Myers predicts Las Vegas will trade Crosby to the Buffalo Bills this offseason.
Buffalo is currently in the midst of their Super Bowl window with Josh Allen under center. Allen is having an MVP season with the Bills at a 12-3 record. The one thing that has held them back from more success is the defensive struggles. Outside of Greg Rousseau, the entire defensive line has failed to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This has led to Allen and the Bills offense having plenty of shootout games to maintain their leads, which is unsustainable.
With Von Miller aging, trading for Crosby would give Rousseau a viable pass rusher to help on the other side. With the Bills being contenders as well, Crosby would enter a better winning culture and prolong the Bills Super Bowl window.
If Crosby somehow becomes available, the Bills should pursue the three-time Pro Bowler. Buffalo’s defensive line, anchored by star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, has been one of the better units in the NFL over the last few years, but adding an elite edge rusher like Crosby would take the unit to the next level.
A potential trade package for Crosby will cost at least a first round pick and more, but it would be well worth for a Bills’ franchise that is hungry for a Super Bowl title.
