Jason Licht Took A Swing For Maxx Crosby
June 15th, 2025
“Quit, bugging me, Spytek. Keep this up and I’ll tell Brady you asked about Kyle Trask again.”
Most football fans and football executives appreciate Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Chucky made him a fourth-round pick in 2019 and Crosby had little learning curve en route to 10 sacks as a rookie, plus 4 forced fumbles and 4 passes defensed.
The four-time Pro Bowler is known for his relentless motor and Raiders-first attitude.
Well, that team devotion cracked a little this past offseason when Crosby went public talking about how he wanted to know more about the new Vegas regime — before he would commit to being a Raider for life.
It seems Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht smelled blood in the Vegas upheaval and made an early play to trade for Crosby.
This news came from new Raiders GM John Spytek himself, a Bucs assistant GM last year, during a sitdown with the 3-And-Out podcast (where he also explained how Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield were locked in a tight job battle.)
Spytek said teams often try to steal a player from a new GM, and he got several calls about Crosby.
Licht shot his shot, apparently, before Spytek cleared out his Tampa home.
“Maybe or maybe not, Jason Licht tried to get him before I even got on a jet to Vegas,” Spytek said. “Jason was sitting in my house telling me, ‘Maxx for a fifth sounds great right now for everything I’ve done for you in my life. ‘ And I was like, ‘Jason, don’t get me fired so I can come right back to Tampa. At least give me a real shot here.’”
Joe always applauds when Licht chases edge rushers, even when he can’t close the deal. Bravo!
The Bucs ended up with Haason Reddick on a one-year contract to bolster their edge rush. He comes at less than half of Crosby’s new price tag. And Joe would bet a few bucks Reddick has as many sacks this season as Crosby will coming off December ankle surgery.
June 15th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Licht did a good job this offseason. Bolstered the ILB room, the secondary, the edge rush, with a good draft, and FAcy. Added weapons for Baker, Egbuka, Tez. This team is ready to break out.
June 15th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
That’s funny sounds like 2 people who like and respect each other having fun. I am certain Licht was saying all in jest and welcoming him to the role of GM.
Great story!!!
June 15th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
“Maxx for 5th for everything I’ve done for you.” LOL… Love it!
Can’t hurt to ask
June 15th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Great story. It got me smiling. 🙂
June 15th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.
June 15th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
This makes my heart smile. I would’ve done the same thing.
June 15th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
I wanted Crosby coming out, too! I liked him when he was at Eastern Michigan.
June 15th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Sounds more like a joke than a real offer, however it could have been Licht testing the waters, if Spytek doesn’t laugh it off, maybe there’s a better offer.
June 15th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
YaYa Diaby is getting 12 sacks this season remember I called it.
June 15th, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Still need a vet ILB and another vet backup edge rusher.
June 15th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
Buc4ever dude we have THREE vet ILBs, two who have been pro bowlers. Chill out on ILBs guys!
June 15th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
That story is pure gold, Joes!!!
Obviously Jason and Spytek going at it as new rivals, tongue in cheek. But wow – who else is gonna write about that!
More beverages for the Joes.
June 16th, 2025 at 12:33 am
I mean we all know a 5th for Crosby is ridiculous value. But why not take a shot with an old friend and a player who had public perceptions of unhappiness? That’s what makes Licht a great GM. He took a hit for great value for the team, didn’t get desperate and overpay, and moved on when it didn’t work out.