Fresh NFL Rumors on Potential Maxx Crosby Trade to Patriots Amid A.J. Brown Buzz

A move for Las Vegas Raiders Pro Bowl pass-rusher Maxx Crosby is reportedly something the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots could consider this offseason.

According to Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald, league sources don't believe the Raiders are "serious" about trading Crosby, but a Patriots source views New England acquiring Crosby is "more realistic" than a trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Callahan and Kyed added that while the Pats and Eagles have had trade talks involving Brown, the Patriots feel Philly's asking price is "unserious."

Per Mark Daniels and Karen Guregian of MassLive.com, there are also "quite a few admirers" within the Patriots organization of a pair of impending free-agent pass-rushers: Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jaelan Phillips of the Eagles.

Crosby has been the subject of trade rumors for the better part of the past year, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier this month during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that there is "a feeling around the league" that Crosby wants to be traded, although the Raiders "would prefer not" to deal him.

The Raiders signed Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension last year, meaning he is under contract through 2029.

Although Crosby missed the final two games of the 2025 season due to a knee injury that required surgery, he still finished with 73 tackles, 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles, and he was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl.

The 28-year-old veteran has recorded 69.5 sacks in 110 career NFL regular-season games since getting selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

According to Callahan and Kyed, a Patriots team source believes a first-round pick and other lesser assets would be fair compensation in a trade for Crosby, but Vegas is reportedly asking for two first-round picks and a player.

If the Patriots are going to part with prime assets for a player locked into a big contract like Crosby, Callahan and Kyed noted that it will depend largely on where the organization believes it stands in the NFL hierarchy.

New England went 14-3, won the AFC East and reached the Super Bowl last season, but the Patriots were aided by an easy regular-season schedule and a playoff path that allowed them to win despite quarterback Drake Maye and the offense averaging just 18 points per game in their first three postseason contests.

The Patriots were ultimately overmatched in a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

A high-ranking executive from a team who faced the Patriots last season told Callahan and Kyed that the Patriots "must be certain they will contend again" before making a move for a player like Crosby.

The Patriots have a clear and obvious need for a stud pass-rusher regardless, as they tied for 22nd in the NFL last season with 35 sacks.

However, if they feel the Raiders' asking price for Crosby is too high, they could always go after an alternative option like Hendrickson or Phillips in free agency.