The Green Bay Packers watched the Super Bowl from home, but Philadelphia’s dominant Super Bowl pass rush, which produced 6 sacks and a 38% pressure rate, has contenders around the league desperate to boost their own front four–even more so than teams like Green Bay already were.

There are several tempting options on the free agent market including Khalil Mack and the Eagles’ own Josh Sweat, and Packers fans are clamoring for Cleveland’s Myles Garrett following his trade request last week.

Also available via trade is Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who might be more accessible than Garrett depending on how his team’s attitude evolves.

At least for now, the Browns claim they have no interest in parting with their star; Las Vegas has indicated a similar stance in the past.

While Crosby is not quite at Garrett’s level, he is among the most desirable edge rushers on the market.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero suggest that he might be interested in the Packers.

Maxx Crosby a More Realistic Choice for Green Bay Packers?

As with Garrett, it wasn’t that long ago that Crosby expressed his wish to make it work with the team that drafted him.

Last summer, he issued the following statement tempering would-be suitors:

Going through the ups and downs and the hardships is going to make it that much sweeter when I do win a Super Bowl. So, I plan on being here for a very long time and I plan on winning here.

You know when I signed that contract, I didn’t have any type of, you know, thought of leaving or idea of leaving. I feel like I’m going to be a Raider for life.

Well, it seems that his lifetime there may be nearing its end. Leaguewide, vultures are circling to compete for his services.

2024 was not Crosby’s best season, ending after 12 games due to ankle surgery. Playing hurt, he still registered 7.5 sacks but was clearly not himself. Prior to last year, he had never missed a game. In 2022 and 2023, he piled up 27 total sacks.

Still, he managed a 74.1 PFF grade, good for 35th out of 211 ranked pass rushers. The Packers need a dominant end to pair up with DE Rashan Gary and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper in their pass rushing corps. Crosby more than fits the bill.

Las Vegas Is Not the Contender Crosby Desires

Say Rapoport and Pelissero in their article:

Still only 27, Crosby has said before he wants to be a ‘Raider for life’ and has been loyal to the organization.  He also has been open about his frustrations with the team’s seemingly endless string of changes and mounting losses. Crosby wants to win and be a big reason behind the success.

In Green Bay he would get his wish on a team that should contend for years if Jordan Love continues to improve and has enough pieces around him. Crosby would give the Packers’ front four the game wrecker they are missing.

The article continues:

While the hiring of Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll was a step toward stability, the Raiders still don’t have a franchise quarterback and have a ton of work to do to field a competitive roster. Trading Crosby for a bounty of picks would be one way to expedite that process, and Crosby might welcome the change, particularly if it’s to a playoff team where he knows people (e.g. Green Bay). Crosby has two years and about $44 million remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2022.

Despite fan dissatisfaction after Love’s three INTS in Green Bay’s first round playoff loss, the team probably has its QB of the future.

The Packers have fielded a postseason worthy roster the past two years. While Crosby won’t be cheap, he will likely not warrant the price that Garrett will, so going after him instead could benefit the Packers in that way as well.

Owner of the top PFF grade among edge rushers aside from the injured Aidan Hutchinson (5 games played), Garrett is indisputably the best talent available, but Packers fans shouldn’t turn up their noses if he proves unattainable.

Although Garrett shouldn’t slow down any time soon, it is worth noting that Crosby is a couple years younger, aged 27 versus 29. At least in theory, he might have more prime seasons remaining.

Torso tattoos are to Crosby as golden locks to Clay Matthews.

If he came to Green Bay and got a fresh extension, he would be the team’s new biggest name on defense for at least several years to come.