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 Fernando 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 7:40 am
I would consider doing this deal.
As you said Joe, Godwin is on the wrong side of 30.
The Bucs are NOT going to get an impact player like Crosby with the #15 pick.
Crosby’s $30.5M salary is $10M less than Parson’s, and the 5th highest amongst D players – IMO, a relative bargain
* Micah Parsons (GB, ED): ~$40.8M base salary.
* Chris Jones (KC, DT): ~$35.1M base salary.
* T.J. Watt (PIT, ED): ~$32M base salary.
* Myles Garrett (CLE, DE): ~$31.5M base salary.
* Maxx Crosby (LV, ED): ~$30.8M base salary.
Crosby’s injury is a concern, as it was a left knee meniscus injury that required a repair, not just a trim. But it was not torn ligament’s.
Crosby would have such an impact on the D that even our DBs would look good
If Bowles did not let Crosby rush that passer, he will be fired for sure.
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.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:23 am
A #2 and tez Johnson
February 21st, 2026 at 9:25 am
Eagles are gonna keep Phillips, sadly. Cowboys just cut Logan Wilson, he’ll be cheap
February 21st, 2026 at 9:35 am
Giving up way too much for a guy that old coming off knee surgery.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have him but he would be very expensive and may only have a couple decent years left in them if that. Would be a lot to give up for for something possibly very short term. Nothing forces him to resign with us. Those first and second round picks give us somebody we will have for 4-5 years.
Should I comment on how good the books are a drifting is rushers? No, not at this time.
Everyone knows the issues.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:41 am
How about no.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:51 am
Godwin is worth more than Crosby…that would be a horrible deal.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:56 am
Crosby great when healthy but he’s not in the same class as Parsons and Myles Garret. 1st and a 4th.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:58 am
If Crosby thought he could / should be playing, how bad can the knee be? Regardless, no giving a first rounder. You never know. This could be the time that Licht is the blind squirrel that finds the nut.
February 21st, 2026 at 10:03 am
We were 2-9 in the backend of the season. One of, if not the worst team in the NFL when it mattered. How is Bowles still employed? Why do Americans accept mediocrity?
February 21st, 2026 at 10:10 am
āDoes Joe need a cold beer on a Florida afternoon on a Friday in July?ā
Attention local breweries: marketing opportunity here.
February 21st, 2026 at 10:16 am
I think this is a āis Baker your guyā year.
If heās as bad as he was late last year then you go full blown rebuild..
Or what level of good is heā¦$40m high end game manager or $60m+ game winner?
Go Bucs!!
February 21st, 2026 at 10:17 am
So sick of this franchise sucking while the Glazer family idles around and soaks up all the money from the fans. We deserve better. Not some washed up head coach that hires his children. You fans that ignore this are the same ones that I sat next to during games that didn’t even get up and shout while we were on defense. Just aging corpses that are “fine” we with the way things are and always have been.
February 21st, 2026 at 10:24 am
Sorry I missed it but is Ben Solak’s middle name Stupidignoramus?
February 21st, 2026 at 10:49 am
Joe,
I torn meniscus isnt “blowing out your knee”. A torn ACL or Patella is considered blowing out your knee. A meniscus recover is weeks. A ACL or patella is 10 months or more and then it takes time to get core muscles surrounding the knee back to football shape.
That being said, this is a horrible trade proposal.
This defense needs talented youth at ILber, DT and edge. Not one expensive edge rusher. Plus there is still Bowles and his horrible scheme. It’s time draft lock Nowles away when buying the groceries for the next coaching staff.
February 21st, 2026 at 10:50 am
I am not in favor of giving up players or draft picks for Crosby. He is a great player, but the price is too steep. There will be players out there in free agency who can help improve our pass rush. We don’t necessarily need a 10-sack guy. An 7-8 sack guy would be an improvement, along with some defensive tackle depth.
February 21st, 2026 at 10:56 am
Chubb is a better player than Reddick. If heās not too expensive sign him, and replace SVD with a stud ILb 1st round pick. Suddenly this defense looks a whole lot better- especially if LVDās knee is actually healed. If it isnāt, replace him with a second round pick. This is a great linebacker draft so letās take advantage of it!
February 21st, 2026 at 11:14 am
Godwin is expendable, but the price is still too high.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:32 am
Next year is a throw away year. Bowles/Licht I hope will be gone. Get a decent pro football HC/GM and start shooting for the stars. Conservative draft for our weakest positions (many) is the way to go for ’26.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:39 am
If Godwin didnt have a $49 million dead cap number on his head he’d
be good a candidate for release.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:46 am
You could probably use that draft capital to move up and get one of the top two edge rushers in the draft. 20-22 year old with no NFL mileage or Crosby pushing 30 and worn pretty hard the last few years. The price would be too much for Crosby. Licht would have to ask himself 1. Is Crosby going to put us over the edge and make us a serious contender. NO at least not this year. And if no itās the answer this year than draft young and give a great prospect his rookie year to get his self planted. Or 2. Can Bowles developer said pass rusher you spend valuable draft capital on. DOUBT IT. So I am still not sure what the point of this year is defensively. As always just try to out score every team you face and draft one of the Notre Dame running backs and become well balanced. But if you give up Godwin and lose Evans you arenāt gonna put fear into any defense with what you have left. Again I just donāt know what this year is about.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:46 am
No thanks I’d rather keep Godwin an out 1st an 2nd in 27
February 21st, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Bonan Says:
“We were 2-9 in the backend of the season. One of, if not the worst team in the NFL when it mattered. How is Bowles still employed? Why do Americans accept mediocrity?”
We let you make comments here…so you kind of have a point. We all know Bowles should have been gone. Reminding us is not constructive at this point.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Crosby is NOT a good investment risk in a trade. If they release him, I don’t think he’s worth signing either. And it’s not just because of his injury. He made himself a team distraction with his attitude. No thanks.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:07 pm
So Godwin takes an $10mil/yr reduction in salary offer to stay with the Bucs rather than join the Patriots and they turn around and trade him?….cold…very cold.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Is that a joke? A dude that wants to leave the Raiders gets a Chris Godwin a 1st, and a second, and we get disgruntled dude and 5th. Hell now. Crosby will be traded for a 5th on draft day.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:10 pm
I believe the reason Reddick was a ghost of his former self was because Todd Bowles defensive scheme always has him dropping back into coverage. Only blitzing him on obvious 3rd down situations instead of letting him on his ears back and rush the QB on every snap.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Cant see JL doing this. CG turned down a blank cheque to come back to Tampa. Not sure how JL can look CG in the face and tell him he has been traded. Loyalty is worth more sometimes bc it says a lot to other players. What do you think Mike Evans will do when he is offered more money to play elsewhere? Which will happen and JL is going to have to convince him to stay.
Why aren’t more ppl talking about offloading a 20 milly plus safety who hasnt done much in two seasons since signing and us part of a unit that continues to blow coverages. A 20 plus milly safety is a luxury, and AWJ is 29 this year.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm
These trade scenarios are as useless as mock drafts as Joe oftentimes argues.
Entertaining in the off-season though.
Licht wonāt part with a 2nd round pick or a player he drafted then re-signed to a 2nd ( might actually be 3rd for Godwin ) contract.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Wrong…Bucs need a traditional DL. 4-3,
February 21st, 2026 at 1:15 pm
BLUNDERBALL
February 21st, 2026 at 1:16 pm
This is actually a trade I would consider – while negotiating hard for that 2027 return pick from LV be a 4th rd pick.
Here’s why:
1) If Godwin is in the deal, it make resigning Mike Evans & LVD much more plausible and easier to stomach..(even if it for more than 1 year for Mike)…As EE looked so much more comfortable in the Slot & has always been pegged as a Godwin play style clone and eventual replacement & LVD would get another shot to go out w/ a ring. (If roster reset bounced the Bucs way!)
2) The cap hit # for CG and the #15 pick is much closer to Maxx’s 2026 cap hit #…Close enough that you can justify the money being offset both ways.
3) It gives both sides out-clauses on the aging players…After 2026 for LV w/ Godwin & after 2027 for Bucs w/ Crosby.
4) This aligns well with the Bowles / Licht FO current “win now – win immediately in 2026 to keep our jobs” window before 2027 hits & Baker’s agent seeking $50-55M/yr in FA….While a handful of other decisions need to be made regarding 2027 UFA’s…YaYa, Vea, Mauch & Kancey should his 5th yr option ot be picked up by 01MAY this yr.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:54 pm
No way is Joe coughing up a first-round pick for a guy pushing 29 who is coming off knee surgery.
————-
Well, then you’re not getting him since someone will pay a good amount more than that.
As for the Godwin part, yeah, that doesn’t make much sense from the Raiders side since they’re building and Godwin is older and has been injured as well.
I think the Raiders will get at least a 1st rounder for Crosby – I can’t see them getting anything less. One of the legit contending teams would happily give up just a 1st for him, which is likely why that’s the floor.
February 21st, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Hairy flying pigs must be a trigger.
February 21st, 2026 at 4:43 pm
No. I donāt trust Lovie Bowels to use anyone correctly. Let the 2027 head coach be involved in trades.
February 21st, 2026 at 5:18 pm
I agree with Joe
No way
Price for a older coming off injury DE
Trade up get a young DE Miami has two coming out !
February 21st, 2026 at 8:59 pm
That’s a no fir me unless we get an amazing tightend and a new wr in the draft or hill since Miami launched him…if we get hill I’ll be OK with Godwin n 2nd …Crosby and 4th if not fuk them
February 21st, 2026 at 11:28 pm
Trade Godwin? Are we dumb?
February 22nd, 2026 at 9:13 am
Watch how many ppl on this site freak out that we didn’t pull off this trade when Crosby is killing QBs next year for another team! And lastly Joe never heard why Crosby was soooo butt hurt over not playing last two meaningless games in Vegas!? Contract incentives? And he couldn’t be that hurt if he could and still wanted to play right?? But if ur losing team secures a franchise qb for sitting last two games, why the uproar from him!?
February 22nd, 2026 at 9:39 am
SF is where heāll end up
February 22nd, 2026 at 2:05 pm
The Bucsās coaching killed them in 2025. A new head coach would get some significantly improved performance from the existing roster along with FAās and the draft picks. Another year of mediocrity? Maybe a 8 or 9 win season? A trade for Crosby just sets us back.
We got a SB win with Gruden and gave up the farm in draft choices to secure it years ago. And the drafting wasn’t all that good in following years..
ATL and CAR made solid progress this year; one might believe NO did too, and we are still staying in one place.
Get the O line healthy, get better defensive coaching going. Same for offense. Head coach needs to improve a bunch.
The good coaches see the holes as they play out the season. They adapt to fill them. So do good GMās. We need a lot more of that from Bowles and Licht.
February 22nd, 2026 at 6:47 pm
The Bucs injuries killed them in 2025.