The New England Patriots are focusing all their thoughts and energy on one thing and one thing only: Super Bowl LX. That said, that doesn't mean the front office can't keep an eye open and keep tabs on everything that's going on around the league.
NFL insider Jay Glazer dropped a nuclear bomb this week by stating that Maxx Crosby was 'done' with the Las Vegas Raiders. Multiple teams will now try to get their hands on the superstar pass rusher. Nonetheless, as reported by The Athletic insider Dianna Russini, the Patriots may have an edge over the competition.
“Maxx Crosby doesn’t seem too happy in Las Vegas," Russini said, per Patriots fan account Los Talks Pats. "I know he wants to play for Mike Vrabel. He’s told me before.”
Although it may not have been on their radar when Super Bowl week began, the Patriots would likely be wise to keep tabs on Crosby (and a potential trade) before the offseason begins.
Potential Maxx Crosby Trade Should Be on Patriots' Offseason Radar
That's not to say that the Raiders will send Crosby to his preferred destination. At the same time, Russinni is the actual source, and she's putting a lot on the line by saying Crosby has the Patriots and head coach Mike Vrabel on his radar.
It's also worth pointing out that Crosby previously played under Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, who was his head coach in Las Vegas from 2022 to 2023, so there are even more ties to Foxboro.
Still, the Patriots must sort some things out first.
For starters, Glazer also said that it will probably take more than what it took the Green Bay Packers to land Micah Parsons for the Raiders to even consider a trade. That means the Patriots will probably have to part ways with multiple first-round picks and a starting-caliber player.
This front office was very aggressive in their attempt to revamp the roster this offseason, so it wouldn't be shocking to see them double down on that in the next couple of months. Per OverTheCap, the Patriots will have over $42 million in available cap space.
Crosby is signed through the 2029 season, and he'll make $29 million, $26.5 million, and $27.4 million in the following seasons, per Spotrac, so the Patriots can afford to make a move for him.
Regardless of what happens in the Super Bowl, the Patriots have valid reasons to go after one of the best EDGE defenders in the game. They don't have a bona fide pass rusher, and Crosby does embody everything that comes with playing for a hard-nosed and competitive coach like Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots finished the regular season with only 35 sacks, which was tied for the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Crosby, on the other hand, had 10.0 sacks in 15 games this season, and he's reached double digits in four of his seven years in the league.
If the Patriots win the Super Bowl, they must double down on Drake Maye and this core to ensure they're as strong — if not more — to defend their title next season. But if they lose, they will need to go even further to solve their flaws if they want to remain in the championship conversation.
Whatever the case, a potential Crosby trade would go a long way to helping New England with its goals.