When the Las Vegas Raiders made it clear that they were open to trading star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a lot of teams were interested.
And that includes the New England Patriots.
However, in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand during the week of Super Bowl LX, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed that Crosby was interested in playing for Vrabel.
“Maxx Crosby doesn’t seem too happy in Las Vegas; is he going to ask for [a trade] officially and ask out?” Russini said. “I can tell you, I know he wants to play for Mike Vrabel. He’s told me before.”
Considering New England has the 31st overall pick, which is second to last in the first round, it likely put the Patriots down the list in terms of trade partners. But, it seems there was also another reason.
In a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a source told him that there was “no way Tom (Brady) was sending Maxx to Vrabel.”
But, according to executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf, he wasn’t aware of that being the reason.
“I’d be surprised if that’s true,” Wolf said. “I have a really good relationship with John Spytek, the Raiders General Manager. We speak about a variety of things, and that’s never been a thing.”
And when asked if the Patriots were in on the initial trade talks, Wolf said that, “we make a lot of exploratory calls, and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Eliot Wolf Isn’t Ruling Out A Potential Trade, But There’s A Lot That Would Go Into It
GettyExecutive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf
While Crosby was initially traded to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks, the deal fell through, which sent shockwaves through the NFL.
And while the edge rusher said that he is planning to be with the Raiders for the 2026 season, never say never in terms of another trade coming to fruition. So, would the Patriots be interested?
Wolf didn’t rule out the possibility, but considering that Crosby has a $35 million cap hit with $30 million guaranteed, it would take some work.
“I’d have to talk to [director of football research] Richard Miller about our [salary cap] numbers right now,” Wolf said. “Again, we’ll look into any player that we think can help us.”
Will The Raiders Trade Maxx Crosby Again?
GettyMaxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders.
While some teams might be interested in making another push for Crosby, it doesn’t seem like the Raiders want to make it happen.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Las Vegas is “currently telling teams that defensive end Maxx Crosby won’t be traded,” adding that the Raiders didn’t want to trade him.
The only reason the deal went through was because he wanted out, but his public commitment to Las Vegas in wake of what just happened has changed everything.
“Everything Happens For A Reason. Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. Im A Raider. I’m Back. Run That (expletive),” Crosby posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Patriots EVP Eliot Wolf Casts Doubt on Viral Rumor But Leaves Door Open for Maxx Crosby