If the Las Vegas Raiders decide to trade Maxx Crosby next offseason, it’s fair to say it would alter the NFL’s defensive landscape.
The five-time Pro Bowler, who finished the year with 73 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and his first career interception in 15 games, was placed on season-ending injured reserve by the Raiders after battling a lingering knee issue.
According to FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer, Crosby was far from pleased with the decision to shut him down, with Glazer saying the Raiders edge “vehemently disagreed” with the team’s decision. Per Glazer, he left the team facility in protest after being informed he wouldn’t play the season’s last two games.
Naturally, all the drama has led to speculation about Crosby’s future in silver and black. Bleacher Report named the Niners as a potential trade partner, but there’s a lot San Francisco GM John Lynch would have to consider to make such a move.
49ers Insider on Maxx Crosby Trade: It Makes Sense, But Raiders & Compensation Are Biggest Factors
Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard weighed in on the possibility of Crosby coming to the Bay Area, and while it could happen, there are quite a few roadblocks, at least right now.
“If the 49ers are ready to spend more money than they did last offseason, adding Crosby — if the Raiders put him on the market — would make a ton of sense,” Kawakami wrote on December 30. “But when I’ve checked with 49ers people lately, they’ve noted that they’ve won while getting younger and cheaper over the last year and they’d like to stay with that. Also, 49ers management didn’t love the result when they went all-in and over budget a few years ago for Javon Hargrave, and there is definite reluctance to do something so similar now.”
Money, obviously, will also be a huge factor.
“The 49ers have some other big business to handle, too,” Kawakami added. “Namely, there are potential adjustments due for both Trent Williams ($38.9 million cap hit next year) and Bosa ($42 million). But you never know. The 49ers picked up about $24 million in extra cash by separating from Aiyuk. And they did all that payroll clearing last March.”
What Happens in the Playoffs Will Matter, Too
Crosby earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2025. He’s also been recognized as a second-team Associated Press All-Pro twice—first in 2021 and again for his 2023 season. He has roughly 69.5 sacks so far over his seven seasons, and he’s been productive every year. There’s no doubt that together with Bosa, they would give the Niners one of the NFL’s most formidable pass rushing duos.
What happens in the postseason could also sway Lynch and company.
“If the 49ers fall short in the playoffs and feel like they’re a star pass rusher away, or they don’t think a good edge rusher will fall to their slot in the first round of the draft, or Crosby really wants to come to Santa Clara and it won’t cost multiple premium draft picks … let’s just keep on eye on the 49ers,” Kawakami wrote.
