After the trade fell through for Maxx Crosby in March, the Raiders and Crosby decided they were content being together (the team may have always been) and every public indication has been that Crosby will remain in the desert for the foreseeable future.
But could a trade for ‘The Condor’ still happen before the start of the season?
No one was predicting the Myles Garrett trade that happened this month and it’s no secret that teams are still interested in trading for Crosby.
Specifically, Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter believes there are two teams highly interested in getting a deal done for Crosby.
“I am telling you, there is a lot of interest in Maxx Crosby. Two teams, specifically, nuclear hot, [are] the Eagles and the 49ers,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast.
“I still believe there are two, maybe as many as three other teams absolutely in play for Maxx. Okay, does that mean that Maxx is in Spytek’s office [wanting out]? No. Does that mean that Spytek is like, ‘I want him gone?’ No. But it means the reality is… I do believe someone could get Maxx. I think he could be had. [It would have to be] the right team, and it would have to be the right price.”
“Do I think [a Crosby trade] is as probable as it was when the season ended? No, but I certainly don’t think it’s far-fetched. I would not be shocked or surprised with a trade. I’m not predicting one, but I would not be shocked or surprised. That’s just the reality, and that’s my job to report to you the reality.”
With the Rams making an aggressive move to bring Garrett to Los Angeles (and likely adding Aaron Donald at some point in the season), it would be a surprise if an NFC team doesn’t make a hard push for Crosby between now and the trade deadline in November.
While the Raiders might be willing to trade Crosby (they already did it once), it doesn’t seem like GM John Spytek is going to move away from his asking price of two first-round picks for his All-Pro edge rusher.
Earlier this month, former NFL linebacker Bart Scott said he believes the Eagles are the team to watch for Crosby, and thinks Howie Roseman won’t be shy about making a ‘big move’ for an elite pass rusher.
“I know Howie Roseman and I see a big move coming,” Scott said on ESPN’s Get Up.
“I’m telling you guys a big move is coming,” Scott continued. “Howie Roseman always has a plan. I believe that Howie Roseman is going to take this [salary cap] space that he has, he saw what happened with Myles Garrett, and he’s not going to be one-upped by anybody. I think Maxx Crosby is going to Philadelphia. I think they have the player in Nolan Smith to trade, and they can mimic the same trade [the Rams made for Garrett].”
As for the 49ers, they are in a division with the Rams and the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
If anyone is feeling desperate to make a move for Crosby, it ought to be the 49ers.
x: @raidersbeat