Are Bucs Back In The Mix For A Maxx Crosby Trade?

Shocking NFL news came about on Tuesday night as it was announced that the Baltimore Ravens have backed out at the last second in their blockbuster deal with the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. This was a player that Pewter Report has talked about the Bucs potentially targeting this offseason, and with this trade deal falling through, it gives Tampa Bay another opportunity for consideration.

The news actually came from the Raiders via their social media account saying that the Ravens have backed out of their trade agreement. What the trade was supposed to be was Baltimore sending two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby. Reports have come out that medical concerns were the reason why the Ravens backed out of the deal after Crosby took a physical in Baltimore.

Crosby had surgery to repair his meniscus just a few months ago and was apparently off crutches for a week.

Raiders DE Maxx Crosby – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kiyoshi Mio

Maxx Crosby Hits The Trade Market Again

There appears to be speculation and much criticism about this with the Ravens. Everybody knew that Maxx Crosby had surgery to repair a torn meniscus after the season and was working to rehab the injury and be ready for the regular season and perhaps training camp. Many believe that there’s more to the story, which is why Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network passionately criticized how Baltimore suddenly backed out of the trade.

What’s further added to the chicanery is that Crosby’s agent, CJ LaBoy, went on social media and refuted any claims that there should injury concerns. He cited that Crosby is “ahead of schedule” during his recovery.

So what really went on? Was Baltimore legitimately concerned, or is there another move at play to come next? With Trey Hendrickson still available, its possible that the Ravens decided it would be best to sign Hendrickson without giving up draft picks in the hopes he’d have similar production.

Regardless of what theories are true or not, the Raiders-Ravens-Crosby trade deal snag sent ripples down across the entire league. Teams operated under the guise that Crosby and his $30 million salary had already been moved. There have been several edge rushers that have been signed during free agency. This includes Boye Mafe, Arden Key, Kwity Paye, Dre’Mont Jones, Khalil Mack, Odafe Oweh, and Joseph Ossai, while the Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary.

Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby – Photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie – IMAGN Images

Teams have already allocated finances and draft capital in free agency to more players than just edge rusher. Crosby’s contract will still cost $30 million this season and that’s money that potentially interested teams may have already spent in free agency and re-signings, thinking that Crosby was already unavailable due to the trade to Baltimore.

But because of Crosby’s talent and game-changing ability, there will undoubtedly be suitors now looking to trade for him once again. The question becomes whether this recent news would drive the price down considering how free agency has moved along, or will it remain the same or possibly even go up more as some teams may be even more desperate to acquire him?

Can The Bucs Land Maxx Crosby?

And that’s where the Bucs come in.

Tampa Bay was busy on the first day of free agency, re-signing tight end Cade Otton and adding running back Kenneth Gainwell and inside linebacker Alex Anzalone. There’s still a massive need at edge rusher, as Pewter Report discussed on Tuesday’s episode of the Pewter Report Podcast and nobody has a better relationship with Raiders general manager John Spytek than Bucs general manager Jason Licht and others in Tampa Bay’s front office.

Since the Bucs haven’t spent too much in free aegncy just yet, plus they know they aren’t throwing big money anywhere else on offense, the Bucs can make the room each with their cash and cap room to trade for Maxx Crosby. With the Bucs taking a public beating following Mike Evans’ departure, Tampa Bay’s head honchos can possibly earn back some goodwill from the fan base with this kind of move.

Jason Licht might have to stomach giving up a first-round or second-round pick with Crosby’s trade value possibly lessening, but maybe his relationship with Spytek can make something happen.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Or maybe Crosby’s new availability diverts all the attention to him and allows for Tampa Bay to try to strike a deal with Hendrickson while others become infatuated with Crosby again.

Even with his return to the trade market, the clock is ticking for the Bucs to make some of kind of move for an edge rusher outside of the draft. There are only so many available pass rushers remaining, and if they don’t move soon, those will be gone, too.

If the Bucs don’t land a premiere edge rusher, the fan base will only grow more livid if the team does not succeed on the defensive side. Now that Crosby is suddenly available again gives Tampa Bay another chance to do it.