It's no secret that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need pass-rush help this offseason, and they're one step closer to filling this hole. Jason La Canfora (via ProFootballTalk) reported that Maxx Crosby told Tom Brady, a minority owner in the Las Vegas Raiders, that he won't be returning to Vegas in 2026.
This report came from an "unnamed G.M." who has yet to be publicized, but he certainly sparked drama. Crosby has been the cornerstone of the Raiders defense since his 10-sack 2019 rookie campaign.
The 28-year-old has averaged 10.7 sacks per year over his seven-year career and made a name for himself as one of the best edge rushers of the decade.
The Buccaneers' are one step closer to acquiring their dream offseason target
If the rumors are true, and Crosby is done playing in Vegas, it won't be as easy as that. He signed a monstrous three-year, $106 million contract that extends through 2029. Someone doesn't just opt out of that type of contract, so he'd likely be traded.
If the Buccaneers were somehow able to land Crosby through a trade, he'd transform the defense immediately. In 2025, the Bucs were ranked 19th in sacks per game, a far cry from their six straight top-12 finishes the previous half dozen years.
This lackluster pass rush was due in part to Logan Hall's regression and Calijah Kancey's injury. These two defensive cornerstones were virtual non-factors last season, resulting in a net loss of 11.5 sacks from year to year.
The blame can't be solely placed on these two, but they were big producers a year ago who failed to replicate their success year over year.
Even if Crosby officially requests a trade from Vegas, that doesn't guarantee his exit. Before the 2025 season, Myles Garrett requested to be traded after eight years in Cleveland, but that never happened. Garrett went on to win defensive player of the year and break the single-season sack record.
Even if the Raiders traded Crosby, it would likely cost an arm and a leg to acquire him. Think of the Sauce Gardener trade this past deadline, something like that.
In other words, acquiring Crosby is still a long shot, but Bucs fans just stepped one foot closer to their dream scenario. If General Manager Jason Licht and Co. somehow pull it off, No. 98 jerseys would immediately flood the streets of Tampa Bay, and joyful chaos would rightfully ensue.