The NFL trade deadline is still a few weeks away, but significant trades are already unfolding, with the Raiders leading the discussions. Recently, Las Vegas traded their disgruntled star wide receiver, Davante Adams, to the Jets for a third-round pick, reuniting him with former Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
For Falcons fans eager to acquire a star pass rusher before the trade deadline, thoughts immediately turned to Maxx Crosby. There’s a glimmer of hope that the Raiders might consider trading him as they gear up for a rebuild.
Given the Raiders’ history of poor decision-making, this speculation isn’t entirely unfounded. However, Mark Davis isn’t likely to part with one of the league’s top defensive players, who is only 27 years old.
“It’s unfortunate, but there’s a lot of outside chatter that isn’t true,” Davis said regarding potential trade talks about Crosby, according to The Athletic. “It’s not coming from any credible sources. I generally avoid responding to such rumors to prevent getting trapped in a black hole. It’s simply not happening.”
Crosby is a dominant force against both the run and pass, and his addition would elevate the Falcons’ defense from average to elite. A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, he already has 5.5 sacks this season—more than the entire Falcons defense combined. While there may be a price that could make Davis reconsider, it seems the Raiders aren’t even entertaining offers right now.
Realistically, if the Falcons are looking for pass rush help before the trade deadline, it likely won’t come from stars like Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett, or Micah Parsons, as such players rarely become available. Therefore, fans should temper their expectations.