The Detroit Lions may not trade for Maxx Crosby this offseason, but the team has not yet finished adding to its already impressive roster.
That message came directly from the mouth of general manager Brad Holmes on Tuesday, March 24 in response to questions about the team’s plans with regards to free agency and the trade market more than two weeks after the official start of the new league year.
“We’re not done yet,” Holmes said.
Christian Booher of ON SI elaborated on the GM’s comments Tuesday.
“With the team still possessing around $23 million in cap space, Holmes told the collection of reporters that he and the franchise are still actively looking for players to add ahead of the start of offseason workouts and the [draft],” Booher wrote. “Holmes noted that the team may not sign anybody ahead of the draft, but he is actively having conversations with agents and pursuing potential additions. This process will continue beyond the draft.”
Lions Linked to Maxx Crosby Trade Prior to Raiders-Ravens Deal
GettyLas Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Reporters have linked Detroit to interest in Crosby before, including during the NFL combine.
“According to many in league circles, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes was more than willing to be aggressive to meet the trade demands of the [Raiders], which included parting ways with two-first round draft picks,” John Maakaron of ON SI wrote in February. “Detroit’s entire coaching staff and front office were in agreement that adding Crosby would have been a move that would instantly put the team in serious contention to win the Super Bowl.”
The Las Vegas Raiders subsequently traded Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks, though Baltimore ended up pulling out of that deal at the 11th hour.
Maxx Crosby Could Still Move Teams During Preseason, Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
GettyDefensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported in the wake of the collapsed trade between the Raiders and Ravens that Crosby could still move before the start of next season in September.
“Everybody seems like they’re in a good spot, but since [the Raiders] already looked at trading, they’re open to that possibility, potentially, if the right offer would come,” Fowler said. “We’re looking at timelines here. Now is gonna be a little slow, but you get closer to the draft, perhaps trade offers will heat up, or even maybe closer to the season. But right now, he’s a Raider, and that’s expected for at least a little while.”
The most recent report involving a potential Crosby deal came from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated (SI) who suggested a mid-season trade rather than one before Week 1.
“If there’s a window to trade Crosby, it’s probably closer to the trade deadline,” Breer wrote Monday. “As we’ve established, it wouldn’t make sense for Vegas to sell low here. But if Crosby plays well, and the Raiders are struggling through a rebuild in late October, then all of this can be revisited. It’s not like there wouldn’t be a market then, if things play out that way.”
The Lions could certainly be a player for Crosby at that point, as Detroit has strung together three consecutive winning seasons and is currently No. 6 in Pro Football Focus’s latest preseason power rankings.
If a Super Bowl looks possible for the Lions, than so is any move necessary to get there ahead of the trade deadline.
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