The Las Vegas Raiders are teetering on the edge of another disappointing season, stumbling out of the gate with a 1-4 record. Amid the turmoil, the rumor mill is churning once again around their superstar defensive end, Maxx Crosby. Despite signing a blockbuster contract in the offseason, whispers of a potential trade have refused to die down. Now, former NFL general manager and ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum has thrown gasoline on the fire with a jaw-dropping trade proposal that’s sparking heated debate across the league.
In a bold segment on ESPN’s Get Up, Tannenbaum suggested that the Raiders could part ways with Crosby for a shockingly low price: a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yes, you read that right—a mere mid-round package for one of the NFL’s premier defensive talents. Tannenbaum’s reasoning? Concerns about Crosby’s durability, which he claims diminish the 28-year-old All-Pro’s trade value.
The reaction was swift and brutal. Fans, analysts, and insiders alike have called the proposal absurd, if not outright laughable. For a player of Crosby’s caliber—a relentless pass rusher who’s the heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense—expecting anything less than a first-round pick (or two) is pure fantasy. To put it in perspective, the Dallas Cowboys recently netted two first-round picks and a Pro Bowl player for Micah Parsons. Even if Crosby isn’t universally seen as Parsons’ equal, he’s undeniably in the same elite tier. A second and a fourth? That’s not a trade; it’s a yard sale.
Tannenbaum’s choice of the Buccaneers as a trade partner isn’t entirely random. The connection runs deep, with Tampa Bay’s minority owner, Tom Brady, and general manager John Spytek, who spent years with the Bucs, potentially eyeing a blockbuster reunion. Crosby’s disruptive presence would be a dream fit for Tampa Bay’s defense, instantly elevating their pass rush and giving them a cornerstone player to build around. But the idea that Las Vegas would let their franchise face walk for pocket change is beyond comprehension.
The Raiders are in rebuild mode, no question. Their 1-4 start has them staring down another lost season, and their playoff drought stretches back to 2002—when Crosby was barely out of kindergarten. Trading their best player could stockpile assets for the future, but a second and fourth-round pick wouldn’t move the needle. It’s not just a lowball offer; it’s an insult to Crosby’s value and the Raiders’ legacy.
Maxx Crosby has been the epitome of loyalty. He’s repeatedly expressed his desire to stay a Raider for life, enduring the franchise’s rollercoaster of highs and lows. From coaching changes to losing seasons, Crosby has been the constant, a fiery leader who embodies the silver and black. He’s said he wants to be part of the Raiders’ resurgence, to be there when they finally break through.
But Crosby is also a competitor, and competitors want to win. At 28, he’s in the prime of his career, and the clock is ticking. The Raiders’ struggles, compounded by their inability to secure a playoff win in over two decades, have to weigh on him. Even with Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll at the helm, the team’s trajectory looks bleak. A potential Week 6 loss to a struggling Tennessee Titans team at home could push Crosby’s frustration to a boiling point.
While Crosby hasn’t publicly requested a trade, it’s not hard to imagine those thoughts creeping in. How long can a player of his caliber tolerate losing seasons without tangible progress? If the Raiders continue to spiral, the idea of Crosby pushing for a fresh start elsewhere becomes less far-fetched.
Tannenbaum’s trade proposal is a head-scratcher, a rogue suggestion that ignores the realities of the NFL trade market. Maxx Crosby is a generational talent, a defensive force who could transform any team’s fortunes. The Raiders would be foolish to entertain anything less than a king’s ransom—think multiple high draft picks or a combination of picks and proven players. Tampa Bay might be a logical landing spot, but they’d need to bring a lot more to the table than a second and fourth-rounder.