As the Raiders seem to be doing everything possible to quiet the rumors around Maxx Crosby, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the team’s star pass rusher is on the trade block.
That doesn’t mean a trade will happen, but the Raiders have named their price for Crosby, teams are trying to get a deal done, and the odds seem to be shifting in favor of a trade ultimately getting done.
The Chicago Bears have become increasingly linked to a potential Crosby trade in the last few days and CBS Sports insider Johnathan Jones, named them on Wednesday as one of the front runners to get a deal done with the Raiders for Crosby.
“Multiple sources indicate the Chicago Bears are a team to watch in potentially dealing for Crosby,” Jones reported on Wednesday. “The Bears aren’t the only team with interest in Crosby — the Dallas Cowboys are lurking, according to sources — but they could be best positioned to do a deal if one can be done. The new league year begins March 11.”
The Cowboys have an aggressive owner and two first-round picks in this year’s draft, but the Bears also have some pieces to work with if they want Crosby.
It has been reported that the Raiders want two first-round picks and a player for Crosby, and a report this week from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler might be one to file away if trade rumors around Crosby continue to pick up.
“One player who has strong trade value and a decent chance to be dealt is Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds,” Fowler reported on Sunday. “The Titans, Raiders and Giants are among teams interested in high-end linebackers, and they like Edmunds, who’s only 27 despite eight years in the league. He was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.”
To this point, every indication is that the Raiders probably aren’t going to find a trade partner willing to give up two first-round picks and a player for Crosby, but with so many teams known to be pursuing Crosby, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a team end up giving two first-round picks for him.
If a player like Edmunds is involved, maybe the Raiders would take a first-round pick and a lesser pick to go along with Edmunds.
It might also be relevant that at least one league insider believes Chicago is Crosby’s preferred trade destination if he ends up leaving Las Vegas.
Whatever way it plays out, if the Raiders decide to keep Crosby or Crosby decides he doesn’t want to leave, someone is going to have to make a firm statement on the situation – because trade rumors around ‘The Condor’ have never been close to the intensity they are right now.
x: @raidersbeat
He’s never said he’s done with the raiders. That’s just someone speculating. He would have publicly demanded a trade if that were true
Maxx! Needs to Go take the 2, 1st Rd
Picks & Max. Can kick Rocks! Matter of fact! Stop appeasing Maxx with his Destination whoever has the Capitol get rid of him all divas need to go, Maxx doesn’t run this Organization WTF is going on.