Long before his failed trade and before the buzz exploded for Maxx Crosby, the Seattle Seahawks reportedly had exploratory talks about making a run at the edge rusher. Fast forward to today, and while he's still a superstar, circumstances have changed. That likely includes Crosby no longer being on the trade market right now. If he is available again, though, Seattle should look the other way.
With Crosby looking sharp in the season debut versus the Miami Dolphins, the defending Super Bowl champions should want no part of his sweepstakes anymore, and it has nothing to do with him as a player or person.
But engaging in bidding wars for an aging player when you have the most stacked pass-rushing corps in football is just poor asset management. Having big-name players is great for jersey sales and all, but it doesn't always lead to more wins.
The Seattle Seahwaks don't need to fix what's not broken
If the past couple of games have shown something, it is that the Seahawks know how to keep a quarterback on his toes. They manhandled the New England Patriots' offensive line in the Super Bowl, and did just about the same in Week 2.
According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the Seahawks logged 22 pressures in Week 1. That includes 16 hurries, three quarterback hits, and three sacks against an overhauled Patriots offensive line.
Perhaps guys like Leonard Williams aren't as popular or make as many rankings as Maxx Crosby, but he can hold his own against the cream of the crop. Moreover, defensive coordinator Aden Durde and head coach Mike Macdonald have crafted a flawless pass-rushing formula in their time together in Seattle.
Shifting personnel, four-man pressure, and pre-snap motion and disguise help the Seahawks wreak havoc and create chaos on offense. Crosby can definitely help with that, but would he be okay with rotating in and out of the field and being a situational guy? He just played 82 percent of his team's defensive snaps in Week 1, with no Seahawks DE playing more than 66 percent.
Sometimes, fans and analysts get way too carried away. Since the Los Angeles Rams now have Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett, they tend to feel that the Seahawks should also make a big splash just for the sake of it. But chasing the name on the back of the jersey isn't always a formula for success.
While there's plenty of talent in Seattle, it's more about the way they complement each other. This is a finely tuned machine that didn't even need to add guys like Dante Fowler Jr., who would probably be a starter on most teams.
Why fix what isn't broken? Why give up multiple first-round picks for a player who, albeit incredibly talented, might suffer chronic knee injuries as he grows older? The Seahawks rely on strength in numbers, and if they're about to make a blockbuster deal, they might as well do so to address an actual area of need, not to add even more firepower to arguably their strongest unit.
Add us as a preferred source on Google