Patriots reportedly miss out on Maxx Crosby trade

The Patriots can cross defensive end Maxx Crosby off their offseason wish list.

The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly trading Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Raiders will reportedly have the Ravens’ No. 14 pick in next month’s draft and the first pick of 2027.

Despite public denials of wanting Crosby to leave, including by the player himself, Las Vegas’ new head coach, and their general manager, rumors have circulated for months that Crosby may end up on the trade block in search of a new home. New England, like many other teams, has emerged as a potential trade candidate for the standout edge rusher.

Crosby, 28, said it himself The athleteThe Patriots’ Dianna Russini wants to play for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel in New England, she said on Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand” show last month.

“Max Crosby doesn’t look very happy in Las Vegas. Is he going to formally call one and ask? Is that a man? I can tell you, I know he wants to play with Mike Vrabel. He’s told me that before,” Russini said.

Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler who has recorded 69.5 career sacks since entering the NFL in 2019, “had his eyes on the Patriots.” Rossini participated on X Friday. He also had the Dallas Cowboys on his radar, per Rossini; They were reportedly willing to offer a first- and second-round pick to Crosby, according to Schefter.

With the player under contract through 2029 and having a cap hit of $35.8 million in 2026, New England would have been financially able to make a trade. However, it seems unlikely that the Patriots would be willing to match or better Baltimore’s winning bid when it comes to compensation. New England took him 31st overall in this year’s draft while the Ravens took him 14th overall.

The Patriots’ defense was one of the league’s best in 2025, helping to the team’s unprecedented run to Super Bowl LX. Adding Crosby would have bolstered an already stacked defense that looks like it will mostly be brought back in 2026.

In last season’s Week 1 victory against New England, Crosby recorded one sack and two quarterback hits on Drake May.

However, Crosby’s swing-and-miss shouldn’t prevent New England from making a trade or signing big-time deals elsewhere. The Patriots have reportedly made an offer to the Philadelphia Eagles in order to acquire AJ Brown, who also has a hefty asking price.

With over $60 million in cap space to work with when free agency begins, New England will have to be aggressive in the trade and free agent markets.

Callie Brown

Sports product

Callie Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox.