The Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby have both had interesting offseasons, but each for a different reason. Might the reasons become the same with a trade of Crosby to Seattle? Not likely, says Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
The issue stems partly from embarrassment for the Raiders and Crosby. The elite edge rusher was supposed to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens, but the Ravens backed out either because 1) they were worried about Crosby's long-term knee health, or 2) they wanted Trey Hendrickson instead.
This meant Crosby had to fly back to Las Vegas, become a part of the team again while rehabbing his injury, and all parties had to pretend that nothing weird had happened. It had, though.
Maxx Crosby to Seattle Seahawks trade doesn't seem very likely
What are the chances that Maxx Crosby, who accounts once again for $35,791,250 in cap space for the Raiders and the team didn't get the multiple first-round picks from the Ravens they expected, gets traded again soon? Don't count on it, per Breer.
"If he’s going to be traded, I think it’s going to have to come after Maxx Crosby gets back on the field and plays really well," said Breer on the MMQB podcast, "so people will forget about everything that just happened."
In other words, if the edge rusher is dealt, Breer doesn't believe it will happen until some time after the new season begins. The problem is that the Seahawks need an edge rusher now after losing Boye Mafe in free agency.
Seattle still has a solid group with DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall, but having a fearsome foursome, as the team had in its Super Bowl run this past season, is the way to go. Crosby would simply be an upgrade over Mafe; he would make the Seahawks' edge rushers among the best groups in NFL history. If he is healthy, of course, and that might be a real concern.
The Raiders might still want two (or more) first-round draft picks in return for Crosby, but the Ravens, whether they were being honest about the issue or not, set off warnings to the rest of the league. A team might give up one first-round choice for the edge rusher and potentially another high-round selection, but probably not another first-rounder.
That might still put the Seattle Seahawks in a good spot for Crosby, as the team doesn't choose until No. 32 this year, and Crosby is certainly worth that draft value. Seattle can also afford the edge rusher, as the cap is rather malleable and the team still has $38 million in cap room. But if Albert Breer is correct, 12s can forget about their favorite acquiring the five-time Pro Bowler.