Aidan Hutchinson and Maxx Crosby would form the exact type of formidable duo the Detroit Lions need to contend for a Super Bowl.
It's also something that could become a reality for the team this offseason. According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, Crosby's time with the Las Vegas Raiders might be done, which would mean a trade is imminent for the star pass rusher. His contract is a huge leverage point for any team to use against Las Vegas, but they'd still be motivated to move off his over $30 million cap hit for 2026.
That said, and tossing out any potential price for Crosby potentially equalling or excelling the one for Micah Parsons, it'd be such a ridiculous get for the Lions. It would make the defense scary again, and specifically, it would make Hutchinson happy. He said as much to Kay Adams on her show, Up and Adams, ahead of Super Bowl LX:
"It just sounds right. I was actually looking that up on the way over here. I was hearing some rumblings about it. I don't know. In the event that it did happen, that would be so dangerous. Me and Maxx have a great relationship. I would love to play with him."
Hutchinson would love to get paired with Crosby this offseason
Hutchinson just signed a monster extension with Detroit, and their cap situation is looking a little suspect to be entertaining such a trade ahead of a few other extension decisions the team has to make.
Crosby's going to land whatever team he goes to a cap hit of $35.8 million for 2026, and the Lions are already $8 million over the cap. Assuming they get some restructuring done, or even toss another high-cost defender into the trade, it could be feasible.
READ MORE: One player the Lions can’t afford to overpay in free agency
Crosby finished up his 2025 campaign on a sour note with the Raiders, as they basically shut him down for tanking purposes ahead of landing the number one pick in the NFL Draft this year. That didn't sit well with Crosby, reportedly, telling the "Let's Go" podcast back in December:
“When it comes to football, there’s certain things that I truly believe in,” he said. “And I feel like there’s core principles that you gotta live by, and there’s a certain way the game needs to be played. And there’s a certain approach that you have when you go into the field. And the way you look at it, from my perspective, is you play to win."
Crosby would clearly love to compete to win, which is something he hasn't been able to do with the Raiders in years. Detroit is the perfect contending landing spot for him this offseason, so it's just a matter of how flexible Las Vegas is willing to get with their reported asking price. A Parsons package is a non-starter.