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Could Detroit’s defense go from good to terrifying overnight?
The Detroit Lions might be cooking up something massive behind the scenes — and the NFL world can’t stop buzzing. Reports suggest the team could make a play for Las Vegas Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, one of the most relentless defensive forces in the league.
With the Raiders sitting at 2-5 and sliding out of playoff contention, the whispers of a rebuild have started. And when a rebuild begins, elite players like Crosby become prime trade chips — the kind that could bring back a small fortune in draft picks.
The Detroit Connection: It Just Fits
Here’s where it gets interesting: Crosby isn’t just any NFL star. He’s an Eastern Michigan alum who grew up a Lions fan. So, when Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton named Detroit as one of the frontrunners for the 28-year-old edge-rusher, it didn’t exactly come out of nowhere — it felt meant to be.
Moton even drew up a wild trade scenario:
- Lions get: Maxx Crosby
- Raiders get: 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, a 2026 fourth-rounder, a 2027 fifth-rounder, and defensive tackle Roy Lopez
Steep? Sure. But adding Crosby next to Aidan Hutchinson could instantly turn Detroit’s pass rush into one of the most feared in football. As Moton put it, “Detroit would have arguably the league’s best pass-rushing duo.”
Money Talks — and Restructures Walk
Of course, there’s always a catch — and in this case, it’s the salary cap. Crosby’s three-year, $106.5 million contract carries a $35 million-plus hit this year and next. But the Lions’ cap space sits around $25 million, and Moton suggests there’s room to make it work long-term.
The logic? Hutchinson is still on his rookie deal through 2026, giving Detroit time to restructure Crosby’s contract later. By the time Hutchinson’s extension comes due, the Lions could balance both stars under the cap.
What This Could Mean for Detroit
If Detroit pulls this off, it’s not just about bringing home a local hero — it’s about sending a message: the Lions are all-in. The defense, already solid under Dan Campbell, could take a massive leap from strong to Super Bowl scary.
Crosby’s 2025 numbers tell the story:
- 4 sacks
- 28 tackles
- 10 tackles for loss
- 5 passes defensed
- 1 interception
- 1 forced fumble
- Plus 25 pressures and 15 QB hurries
That’s production Detroit would love to see terrorizing NFC quarterbacks.
The Bottom Line
The idea of Maxx Crosby donning Honolulu blue just feels right. Whether this blockbuster ever leaves the rumor mill remains to be seen — but for now, Lions fans can dream big. And if Brad Holmes is feeling bold, Detroit might just go “Maxx to the max.”