Patriots Propose Trade for Raiders' Star Defender Maxx Crosby

The deal would send Christian Barmore and draft picks to Las Vegas in exchange for the Pro Bowl edge rusher.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly discussing a potential trade that would send Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby to the Patriots in exchange for defensive tackle Christian Barmore and the Patriots' first and second-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Patriots are in need of a dominant pass rusher to bolster their defense, and Crosby would provide that. However, giving up a talented young player like Barmore and valuable draft capital would be a significant cost for New England.

The details

According to the report, the proposed trade would send Crosby to the Patriots in exchange for Barmore, the No. 31 overall pick, and the No. 63 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Crosby's future with the Raiders has been in question due to his reported displeasure with the team's handling of a knee injury at the end of the 2025 season.

  • The trade proposal was reported on February 15, 2026.

The players

Maxx Crosby

A 28-year-old Pro Bowl edge rusher for the Las Vegas Raiders who has recorded double-digit sacks in three of the last four seasons.

Christian Barmore

A 24-year-old defensive tackle who started 16 games for the New England Patriots in 2025.

New England Patriots

An NFL team in need of a dominant pass rusher to improve their defense.

Las Vegas Raiders

An NFL team that may be willing to trade away star player Maxx Crosby due to reported tensions.

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What’s next

The Patriots and Raiders would need to agree on the terms of the trade, and the Raiders would need to be willing to part ways with Crosby despite his reported displeasure with the team.

The takeaway

This proposed trade would be a high-risk, high-reward move for the Patriots, as acquiring a dominant pass rusher like Crosby could transform their defense, but the cost of Barmore and two valuable draft picks would be steep. The Raiders' willingness to trade Crosby will be a key factor in determining if this deal comes to fruition.