It’s well known that Detroit Lions fans would love to see Michigan native Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders join their team.
Maxx Crosby, the standout defensive end for the Raiders, is at the top of nearly every Detroit Lions fan’s wish list. Not only is Crosby from Michigan, but his energetic style of play would be a perfect fit for the Motor City.
For years, fans, along with NFL analysts, have speculated about the possibility of Crosby being traded to Detroit. However, with a new head coach in Pete Carroll for the Raiders, Crosby’s recent comments could dim the hopes of Lions fans.
Detroit Lions Fans Hope for Michigan Native Maxx Crosby
Crosby, born and raised in Lapeer, Michigan, and a former Eastern Michigan player, would be the ideal complement to Aidan Hutchinson on the Lions’ defensive line. But Crosby, it seems, is looking forward to the future with the Raiders and their new coach.
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s “Let’s Go” podcast with Jim Gray on January 29, Crosby expressed enthusiasm about the direction the team is headed under Carroll. He said, “It’s exciting. I think the number one thing you look at is just energy. We talked about it a few times. Competition as well.”
He added, “As a competitor, as somebody who brings energy all the time and lives off that and expects it from others, I love somebody with that type of mentality. So he’s a winner. He’s done it his whole career. And it’s just exciting to see what’s going to come soon.”
Crosby also mentioned conversations with Carroll and new general manager John Spytek, noting that he’s excited about the team’s rebuild. “The main things that (Pete Carroll) talked about is, we’re going right now,” Crosby shared. “We’re not wasting time. That’s the one thing he mentioned to me after his press conference. We’re going to get this thing rolling. So, it’s exciting.”
He further emphasized that his “mentality every year” is to “win every year.”
NFL Analyst Suggests Green Bay for Crosby
While Detroit fans would naturally prefer Crosby in their city, NFL analyst Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team sees a potential fit for him with the Green Bay Packers. In a January 21 article, Brooke discussed a potential trade that would send Crosby to Green Bay in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.
Brooke argued that the Packers “desperately need a pass rusher. Not one they can be patient in developing, but one who can contribute right away for a potential Super Bowl run in 2025.”
He did acknowledge that “it would take significant resources to convince the Raiders to give up their franchise player in his prime,” but still believes Green Bay “would be the perfect landing spot.”
Crosby signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the Raiders in 2022, earning an average annual salary of $23.5 million. Drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Crosby recorded 45 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and five passes defended in 12 games last season.
