The San Francisco 49ers might find a crucial piece for their Super Bowl aspirations by trading for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby, who began his NFL career in Oakland in 2019, could form a formidable pass-rushing duo with Nick Bosa if a deal is struck.
The Raiders are reportedly open to trading Crosby as part of their strategic rebuild, aiming to maximize a valuable asset. The team believes its future is guided by new coach Klint Kubiak and quarterback Fernando Mendoza, necessitating a long-term roster approach. Trading Crosby, despite the short-term impact, could expedite and enhance this rebuild.
A potential framework for a trade, according to league sources, includes a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and second-year edge rusher Mykel Williams. The 49ers, possessing substantial cap space with over $72 million available, could comfortably absorb Crosby's $30 million base salary for 2026.
Concerns regarding Crosby's knee, which led the Baltimore Ravens to nix a previous trade, appear to be subsiding. All indications suggest he is on track for a full recovery and expected to be ready for training camp. His performance in limited OTA and minicamp work reportedly showed significant progress.
The Raiders' willingness to move Crosby stems from a desire to align their roster with their current rebuilding timeline. Crosby himself has expressed a desire to play in meaningful games later in the season, even if it means leaving the only franchise he has known. A trade would provide the Raiders with assets to accelerate their rebuilding process.
The 49ers, having made additions at wide receiver with veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and in the front seven with Osa Odighizuwa and Dre Greenlaw, are looking to solidify their position in the NFC West. The potential addition of Crosby would address a key area and could be the move necessary to compete with other high-caliber teams in the league. The team's pursuit of Crosby will likely intensify if he demonstrates a full recovery during training camp, drawing significant interest from multiple NFL franchises.