Maxx Crosby Trade Proposal For Bucs
February 21st, 2026
Would this trade work?
Joe votes no. š
Do the Bucs need an edge rusher? Does Joe need a cold beer on a Florida afternoon on a Friday in July?
Damn right the Bucs need an edge rusher. Joe is convinced a serious edge rusher could turn a poor defense with bad pass coverage into an average defense, or even better.
But Joe isn’t willing to be irresponsible. Ever since NFL insiders have noted Maxx Crosby is peeved at the Raiders, and allegedly at co-owner and former Bucs quarterback Tom Brady and his right-hand salesman/pitchman/voodoo high priest/pseudoscientist Alex Guerrero, folks have been connecting the dots that the Bucs could trade for Crosby.
The trick here is that Crosby, 28, is damaged goods. He blew out a knee late in the season, which was allegedly the crux for why Crosby reportedly became outraged at Guerrero, Brady and the Raiders. They wanted him to sit the final two games (and in the process, help tank for top quarterback prospect, Heisman Trophy-winner and national champion Fernano Mendoza of Indiana).
So over at BSPN, the four-letter picked four teams that need an edge rush, could use Crosby, and proposed what would be fair trades for him.
With the Bucs, Ben Solak thinks a package deal with a fan favorite and a high draft pick is fair compensation.
Raiders get: WR Chris Godwin Jr., 2026 first-round pick (No. 15 overall), 2027 second-round pick.
Buccaneers get: Crosby, 2027 fifth-round pick.
Why this deal makes sense: Raiders general manager John Spytek worked under Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht for years in Tampa Bay, so he would likely value Godwin more than most other teams. Godwin would be a target sponge in Las Vegas and give Kubiak a quality blocking receiver. Godwin and a first-round pick, along with some more finagling in the middle rounds, should get the deal done.
Crosby would solve the edge-rushing problem Tampa Bay has been unable to fix for years. The Bucs haven’t had a player reach 10 sacks in a single season since Shaquil Barrett in 2021; Crosby has done it in each of the past four seasons.
Joe doesn’t like this for the Bucs for a few reasons. And if you are Las Vegas, and are rebuilding, why would you want Chris Godwin who is on the wrong side of 30? Raiders GM and former Bucs suit John Spytek would likely want Jalen McMillan over Godwin.
Crosby is damaged goods. No way is Joe coughing up a first-round pick for a guy pushing 29 who is coming off knee surgery.
Another reason Joe doesn’t like this is, would Bucs coach Todd Bowles be willing to change his defense and let edge rushers, you know, rush the friggin’ passer regularly? Joe is dubious.
But Joe, Bowles had edge rushers get after the quarterback with the Bucs. Yes he did, when Bucco Bruce Arians was the head coach.
So, mix in Joe’s suspicion Bowles would just let Crosby do what he does best, and Crosby’s bum knee along with his $30 million salary for 2026, Joe would prefer the Bucs just go out and buy a free agent.
Now if Spytek would lower his demands and make a draft pick conditional on Crosby’s production, then Joe is willing to talk turkey.
February 21st, 2026 at 7:09 am
We launch Godwin, isn’t there a $35 million cap hit?
February 21st, 2026 at 7:27 am
Godwin is very brittle at this stage in his career and the Bucs are loaded at WR when ME comes back. Crosby is a motivated QB killer and will work his way back to health. Make the move-we need whatever we can to improve our Putrid Pass defense. Go Bucs!
February 21st, 2026 at 7:30 am
No. No way. This is beyond crazy. Iād much rather have Godwin! We can get a pass rusher out if free agency that will have 80 percent of the production without losing draft picks that can hugely help our defense for many years to come.
February 21st, 2026 at 7:31 am
One name I havenāt heard mentioned much is Jalen Phillips. Any chance the Bucs pursue him?
February 21st, 2026 at 7:37 am
Kayvon Thibodeaux (Giants) is younger and just completed his first contract.
February 21st, 2026 at 7:54 am
sign free agent(s), don’t give up 1st round picks.
February 21st, 2026 at 7:59 am
Ok.
About this non-sense about our EDGE players dropping into coverage.
Here are the facts.
2021 ~47 sacks
Top ~10-15 in NFLā
2022
~45 sacks
Around middle of NFLā
2023
48 sacks
Likely top ~10 in NFLā
2024
~46 sacks
About 7th most in NFLā
2025
37 sacks
Around 18th in NFL (per ESPN)
And his blitzes are creative!
His defense his famous for getting sacks while the blitzer is untouched!
Why?
Because he brings blitzers from eveywhere while dropping different guys in coverage!
February 21st, 2026 at 8:00 am
Nice conversation, but the Bucs aren’t making any bold moves.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:00 am
But yes.
We need an elite edge rusher AND an elite DE to replace Hall!
AND
We need an elite 3rd DT to replace Gaines!
February 21st, 2026 at 8:11 am
Hell No, trade baker, not Godwin!! Letās Go Bucs!!!
February 21st, 2026 at 8:14 am
We have not replaced Suh past 3 years, need help in the middle. We dont have pieces for edge to get to the qb even if he have Crosby. Todd had no one to help Via. Bunch of young rookies and no name fa. M oney went to offense past 3 years. I was surprised he did that much without Cancey and almost no lb. Need 3 starters on front seven through fa.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:22 am
The Raiders are rebuilding with youth not age. I don’t see them wanting Godwin. Crosby is a dream not likely to happen without giving up the farm. Just don’t see it. My fear right now are the Patriots making M E an offer hard to turn down.
The defense, the overhaul is massive in need and not all going to be fixed this year. If the Bucs get to desperate they will shoot themselves in the foot.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:25 am
Nope…for all the reasons Joe stated. Crosby is almost 30 as well…the tipping point for edge rushers. BTW…where you at Jude? I miss your positivity.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:32 am
No freaking way. š Maybe for a swap of Godwin and a low draft pick. No way I’m giving a 1 and 2. Different story if Bucs are a player a way
February 21st, 2026 at 8:46 am
All just speculation. Anyway, what edge rusher would want to come to a place where he doesn’t get to edge rush? Take off your Pollyanna glasses, Joe. Do you seriously think bowles is going to change? That is the definition of crazy!
February 21st, 2026 at 8:48 am
I liked this trade and proposed it earlier on this site …. Except mine did not have the additional 2nd rounder from the Bucs or the 5th rounder from the Raidiers.
i.e. Goodwin and 1st rounder for Crosby.
But reading Beej comment — now I am not for it — can’t take that big of a cap hit for Godwin — looks like 28 million for trade dead cap.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:52 am
This is like watching Fantasy football where the outcome matters only to the player/fan. What matters is how the seasons ends based on what happens on the field.
Everything else is just chatter. There’s no football š¢ bring played. It’s all in our heads. This is filling the void until the NFL season actually starts. Play all the Fantasy Games/WHATEVERS you want. For alot of people it’s entertaining and fills the void until the season starts. For some of us (probably most of us) I’m waiting for the 2026 to officially start. In the meantime enjoy š what’s available now.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:56 am
@Megoat13- Jalen Phillips could’ve been had for a 3rd round pick this past season, but you know there’s no way Jason was parting with one of those precious picks. I was thinking they should’ve went after him too. Howie Roseman wasted no time grabbing him.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:00 am
The Raiders right tackle last year was god awful.
DJ Glaze. He allowed 10 sacks, which ranked as the second-worst in the entire NFL for offensive tackles and gave up 48 total pressures.
Maybe Luke Goedeke and a 1st rounder to Raiders for Maxx Crosby. Goedeke dead cap hit is 3.5 million.
Raiders want to protect their 1st round investment — Bucs move on to other tackle options with an OL coach that shows he can get guys to the next level.