The Detroit Lions could be in the lead for a game-changing edge rusher, an acquisition that would push their offseason reload.
Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby is expected to hit the trade block as tensions between the two sides grow. Crosby was reportedly unhappy with the team’s handling of his injury and wary about going into another year of rebuilding with the team, leading to expectations that he will be moved in the offseason.
SI.com’s John Maakaron had a strong update on the team’s pursuit of Crosby, putting them among the frontrunners for a player who looks increasingly likely to be traded.
‘Promising’ Sign for Lions
As Maakaron pointed out, Crosby has been diplomatic about the situation with the Raiders in public appearances during Super Bowl week. He did not outright confirm the tensions with the team or the reports that he asked for a fresh start, but Maakaron pointed out that Crosby wouldn’t be free to share this information even if he wanted.
Maakaron wrote that the situation between Crosby and the Raiders is strained, even if the star edge rusher won’t admit it.
“What some fail to realize is all teams and players still must follow league protocol regarding how much contact is made, following a team’s regular season ending or once a team is eliminated from the playoffs,” Maakaron wrote. “Crosby has not talked to the team at all since the Raiders season ended.”
Others have put the Lions at the front of the line. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that they would be among the small group of Super Bowl contenders most aggressive to land him.
“I believe more than a dozen teams, possibly up to 20, will at least inquire with levels of serious intent. And there are some natural would-be contenders, including the Bills, Lions, 49ers, Cowboys and Ravens,” Fowler wrote, via SI.com.
Lions Could Look Elsewhere for Help
The Lions could have some other options if they aim to improve their pass rush this offseason. Christian Booher of SI.com suggested the team could make a run at Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who had been named as both an offseason target last year and a potential trade deadline target for Detroit.
âThere are several high-end defensive free agents in this yearâs crop, and the Lions may be inclined to find their complementary piece to Aidan Hutchinson in free agency instead of the draft,â Booher wrote. âTrey Hendrickson is the top free agent available, though his value may have dipped after an up-and-down 2025 season hampered by injury.â
The Lions have tried through the NFL Draft and free agency to find a competent partner for star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, finding only mixed results. Many insiders see the edge rusher as a top priority again for the Lions this offseason, especially after the spotty results in 2025 that led to the team’s drop out of the playoffs.
If the Lions do pursue Crosby, it could come at a high cost. Some insiders have suggested his asking price could be similar to Micah Parsons, meaning two first-round picks plus a player.
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