Raiders Unlikely to Trade Maxx Crosby Until Midseason

NFL insider Albert Breer says Las Vegas will likely wait until October to move the star edge rusher, potentially dashing Patriots' hopes of acquiring him.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:49am

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According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the Las Vegas Raiders are unlikely to trade star edge rusher Maxx Crosby until the midpoint of the 2026 season. Breer argues that the Raiders will want Crosby to first prove himself on the field and rebuild goodwill with the team's owners and fanbase before considering a trade. This timeline would be a blow to the New England Patriots, who were rumored to be interested in acquiring Crosby to bolster their pass rush.

Why it matters

The Patriots are looking to upgrade their pass rush after losing K'Laveon Chaisson in free agency. Crosby, a two-time Pro Bowler, would be an ideal target, but having to wait until midseason to potentially acquire him could hamper New England's ability to compete in the AFC East, where the Buffalo Bills loom as a significant threat.

The details

Breer argued on 'The MMQB NFL Podcast' that the Raiders should wait until Crosby 'gets back on the field and plays really well' before considering a trade. This would 'make it easier to go out and trade for him again' by 'managing your owners and your fan base.' The Patriots had been rumored as a potential suitor for Crosby, but Breer's timeline suggests New England may have to look elsewhere to improve their pass rush for the start of the 2026 season.

  • Crosby is expected to return to the Raiders in the coming weeks.
  • Breer believes the Raiders won't trade Crosby until around the NFL trade deadline in October 2026.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who has averaged around 10 sacks per season over his career.

New England Patriots

An NFL team that was rumored to be interested in acquiring Crosby to bolster their pass rush ahead of the 2026 season.

Albert Breer

An NFL insider who argued the Raiders are unlikely to trade Crosby until midseason in order to rebuild goodwill with the team's owners and fanbase.

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What they’re saying

“If he's going to be traded, I think it's going to have to come after Maxx Crosby gets back on the field and plays really well, so people will forget about everything that just happened.”

— Albert Breer, NFL Insider

The takeaway

This development is a potential setback for the Patriots' efforts to upgrade their pass rush before the 2026 season, as they may have to look elsewhere or wait until the trade deadline to acquire a top-tier edge rusher like Crosby.