Is Maxx Crosby Really A Slam Dunk For The Ransom?
March 5th, 2026
Price too steep?
See Joe in a bar after a few beers and ask if Joe would like Maxx Crosby on the Bucs roster for 2026. Joe probably wouldn’t shut up all night, so stoked with the thought.
But here is the thing: Is Crosby, if he was acquired by the Bucs, a slam dunk monster for the cost he and Raiders owner Mark Davis will demand?
Pat Donovan has reservations. Half of the “Pat and Aaron Show” heard weekday mornings on WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7, Donovan is tapping the brakes on the Crosby-to-Bucs chatter.
“It’s not the right move,” Donovan said. “To me, Maxx Crosby comes with some hesitation, because of the health situation.
“And his age. I know he’s not old, but late 20s. And he’s coming off of a pretty serious injury.”
Crosby will be 29 in August.
So instead of sending two first-round picks and a player to Las Vegas for Crosby, Donovan thinks for a lesser price, the Bucs could trade up and land a young beast of an edge rusher in next month’s draft.
On face value, Joe is not against that. But then you look at Todd Bowles’ history of developing edge rushers — he has none — and all of a sudden swinging a deal for Crosby is much, much more palatable.
Joe would sign free agent monster Trey Hendrickson in a perfect world. He actually wants to play for the Bucs (if you believe Adam Schefter) and lives in Florida. The Bucs are in dire need of an edge rush. This is just a no-brainer of no-brainers. Hello?
(The “Pat and Aaron Show” can be heard on WDAE-AM 620/WDAE-FM 95.7 weekdays from 6-9 a.m.)
@953wdae Maxx Crosby is proven. David Bailey is not. Is the risk worth it? #iHeartRadio ♬ original sound – 957wdae
March 5th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Trade up for a unproven player????
March 5th, 2026 at 9:07 am
This is the prove it year for TB & JL. They need proven NFL talent to save their jobs. Draft picks are crap shoots at best. Some succeed some don’t. The Bucs roster has several bad picks starting or being groomed to start. I’m not sure about Crosby’s price tag, but they must get proven takent.
March 5th, 2026 at 9:11 am
NO. It’s just really that simple for this Bucs team. “NO.” There is not ONE thing that makes any amount of sense about it. It’s nothing more than just a lazy, knee-jerk reaction from some delusional Bucs Fans, who are incapable of seeing any further than the tip of their noses, and who are not living in reality.
March 5th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Not when you can get Hendrickson for cheaper. And Joe why no article on Sean Tucker? Im so mad, our best running back just got kicked to the curb
[If/when Sean Tucker leaves — there is no evidence Bucs *don’t* want him. Joe]
March 5th, 2026 at 9:21 am
“This is the prove it year for TB & JL.”
IDGAF about Lickt, or Bowles. I’m definitely NOT putting myself (and my franchise) in a much WORSE position, for the future, or for landing a TOP-TIER level HC and GM. They will have to make due with what they’ve already done to build this team. Period. End of Story.
March 5th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Crosby is a WDAE wet dream! We aren’t giving up two number one pics for him. If Hendrickson wants to be a Buc I think he would be a better fit but what would we have to do to get him?
March 5th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Get them both and shake the foundations.
Can you imagine?
March 5th, 2026 at 9:23 am
Yes Joe agree, it appears Henrickinson appears to be a better option than Crosby. However today we are hearing reports the Raiders are lowering the asking price as free agency nears. If so he might be a longer term answer. The only down side to Henrickinson is his age. 31 for A D End not usually a good thing. However, either of them at this point looks to be a tremendous boost from where we currently are.
March 5th, 2026 at 9:28 am
If Tucker is out best running back that says more about the running back room than it speaks to him being great
March 5th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Next year 1st could be a top 5 pick in a good QB class trading that would be disastrous
March 5th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Hendrickson,is the no brainer anyone from the afc north would be good hes been with burrow played against jackson had big battles with Pittsburgh just his knowledge is worth it..
March 5th, 2026 at 9:38 am
Tomlin, harbaugh ,Hendrickson has been around the best
March 5th, 2026 at 9:44 am
No Max Crosby is not a slam Dunk. But he’s the closest thing to it. The only slam dunk is Myles Garrett, and that DE who recently retired from the Rams. Crosby, though, is a complete baller and would add instant juice to our Defense.
March 5th, 2026 at 9:53 am
One 2nd…..this year’s, and maybe a player not panning out…thats it Tom!
Just get TH at the right price if the medicals check out. NO 1ST’S
March 5th, 2026 at 9:56 am
No, this would be like doing what we did in 2013 for Revis.
Giving up draft capital and $$$ to trade for a player who’s still in his rehab window from a pretty significant surgery.
Alot of this Crosby talk is because he’s a known commodity and recognizable name, but if we have $ to pay him, why not target younger options like Oweh/Phillips/Mafe or try to lure K’Lavon Chaisson away from the Patriots.
Other, lesser mentioned targets like Kwity Paye or Joesph Ossai could easily be targets for our front office. We’ll see though.
March 5th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Crosby will cost too much in draft picks and money. Pass.
There are FA that can be had without giving up draft picks. Hendrickson, Oweh, Mafe..all would be big upgrades and not cost draft picks.
Also, im completely fine with trading up if they could land Bailey or Bain. We shouldn’t hesitate to draft players because of Bowles. He won’t be around to see these guys careers as Bucs.
March 5th, 2026 at 10:08 am
The bucs are not a Maxx Crosby away from a Superbowl that would be a stupid move they are two seasons away from fixing the defense.
March 5th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Sean Tucker was certainly competent at running the ball.
I am guessing that his poor pass blocking and his even worse special teams play landed him in a no contract situation.
Well, how well did Rojo do after we released him.
March 5th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Said it earlier why trade 2 #1, if that’s what they want, when you can package this years 1 and another 1 that the Raiders want and trade up for a pair of fresh young stand out legs this year?
March 5th, 2026 at 11:45 am
I would be happy to get Hendrickson as a free agent a 21 million a year. Crosby is too expensive and you have to give up draft picks. I would make sure I sign Evans and then I like Rodriguez as a linebacker other high pics can be spent on edge rushers or linebackers or defensive backs. If they can sign, Algiers as running back that would be great too.
March 5th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Not worth the draft capital
Not worth the money
March 5th, 2026 at 11:59 am
Just read an article of best 150 FAs. I would forget about High$$ guys and pick two edge and 1 or 2 other positions in lower tier FAs. Why throw high draft slots for players that could bolt when they see how bad our coaches are. Max or Trey will not, alone, fix this team.
March 5th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Geno711 Says:
March 5th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Sean Tucker was certainly competent at running the ball.
I am guessing that his poor pass blocking and his even worse special teams play landed him in a no contract situation.
Well, how well did Rojo do after we released him.
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We could’ve said the same thing about LaGarrette Blount. Two games in his carry where Tucker was given the ball more than a handful of times… not coincidentally those were his two 100 yard games. The dude is a major league talent and easily the most talented runner we’ve had here since Jones.