Maxx Crosby has said once before that, if he could land anywhere except for back with the Las Vegas Raiders, he'd want to end up with the Detroit Lions.
It's not a guess or hyperbole. The Michigan native named the Lions as his ideal landing spot if things didn't work out with the Raiders. But, that clip is from two years ago. Right now, in 2026, Crosby is with the Raiders and carrying a $35.8 million cap hit for 2026, alongside a deal that runs through 2029 when he'll be 32 years old.
That feels like a lot to be taking on for the Lions, who have yet to even hint at how they're going to get under the cap for free agency's kick-off in March.
But, restructurings are a thing, our collective imagination is a thing, and Crosby's availability on the trade market certainly appears to be a thing after FOX Sports' Jay Glazer said with confidence that he doesn't anticipate Crosby to be back with Las Vegas in 2026. So, what would a perfect trade package look like for Crosby if the Lions are all-in?
Lions-Maxx Crosby trade deal would throw contention window wide open
Glazer suggested on his appearance during Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX that the Raiders would be seeking a similar compensation package to what the Dallas Cowboys received for Micah Parsons: two first-round picks and a starting defensive lineman.
Detroit, though, has a ton of leverage in any trade talks for Crosby. That contract is gargantuan, and it's going to hinder a lot of what Las Vegas is looking to get back for him unless they restructure his deal prior to any dealings. And, why would they do that when the bill will ultimately have to be footed by his next suitor?
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So, Detroit could probably get away with parting with their first rounder in this year's NFL Draft, a second-rounder in 2027, and a starting player of their own in McNeill. The defender is currently carrying one of the steepest cap hits for Detroit headed into 2026, with $28.9 million owed to McNeill per Over The Cap.
Assuming the team can reach a team-friendly deal with Roy Lopez, that guarantees them a line of Aidan Hutchinson-Lopez-Tyleik Williams-Crosby.
This deal is our way of saying, "fine, you want to push Crosby's deal onto us, but we're going to shuffle money around in this deal, too."
Las Vegas probably doesn't bite on this package, likely seeking additional picks in this trade. But, it just wouldn't be worth the squeeze if they're demanding two firsts with that contract. They have to sweeten the deal for Detroit, and not the other way around.