The NFL is a "never say never" business, but based on most everything that's out there (including from the man himself) Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is not available and he won't be traded before the Nov. 5 deadline.
Still, Detroit Lions' fans can cling to the faint possibility, and Pro Football Focus even put Crosby to the Lions on their list of "fairytale trades" this past week.
It's well-known at this point that former Lions' offensive tackle, and member of the Lions' radio broadcast team, T.J. Lang has a close relationship with Crosby. The two are Eastern Michigan alums, which prompted 97.1 The Ticket's Mike Valenti to push Lang to recruit Crosby to Detroit during his usual Friday-before a game appearance last week.
Lang did hint that he had talked to Crosby about coming to the Lions, but he also later said he would never tell Crosby what to do.
Lang was on "The Valenti Show with Rico" for his weekly spot on Friday, heading into Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans. Crosby was a topic, again, with Valenti now resigned to the idea that the "dream is dead."
But Lang kept the dream alive, if only a little.
"I don't think it's lost on Maxx Crosby to look at the season and say, 'We're going nowhere,' and if the right fit is there, can we make it?" Lang said. "I'm not saying that's there, I'm not saying it's gone. But I don't think the door's completely shut."
Lang made it clear Crosby wouldn't necessarily request a trade, but he might be open to a move.
"I don't think that hope is lost that Maxx Crosby is open to a trade," Lang continued. "I'm not saying I don't think hope is lost that the Lions are gonna go and get him."
Lang understands Crosby's desire to stay with one team, and see a Raiders' turnaround through. But his desire to win may not match where the Raiders are, or will be in the immediate future.
"But there also comes a time where you've got to look in the mirror and say, 'Do I want to do this?' He's on record of saying, 'I don't want to go through a rebuild', Lang said. "I don't want to re-do this thing over I don't want to start from scratch with a new coach and a new quarterback and I've got to be the guy to carry the weight of this franchise on my shoulders,'""But he's still a young player, though. I think there's something rewarding about being in one spot and seeing the turnaround, but who knows."
So the chance the Lions will trade for Crosby remains alive, however faintly, based on whatever close insight Lang may have that he may end up open to being traded.