Detroit Lions fans know how highly Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek values draft capital, and that reality could make a potential Maxx Crosby trade one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2026 offseason.

The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a franchise-defining offseason. Every major decision over the coming months—from hiring a head coach to selecting a franchise quarterback—will shape the organization’s direction for the next decade. That level of importance cannot be overstated.

Spytek’s to-do list is extensive. He must work closely with minority owner Tom Brady to identify the Raiders’ next head coach, evaluate the current roster ahead of free agency, and navigate the NFL Draft in April. Looming over all of it is one massive question: What is the future of Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas?

Maxx Crosby’s Future Creates Major Trade Leverage

Crosby remains the face of the Raiders’ defense, but uncertainty surrounds his long-term future. Does Crosby want to remain in Las Vegas through a rebuild? Are the Raiders willing to pass on multiple premium draft picks to keep him?

At some point, the Raiders’ front office must conduct a serious cost-benefit analysis.

If Crosby becomes available—either via trade request or organizational decision—a league-wide bidding war would erupt instantly. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently proposed several trade scenarios, including one involving the Detroit Lions that may be too valuable for Las Vegas to pass up.

Proposed Lions–Raiders Trade Could Be a Windfall

Any Crosby deal would likely start with two future first-round picks as a baseline. In the proposed Lions package, the Raiders would also receive two high-value Day 3 selections, significantly boosting the overall return.

If Las Vegas restructures Crosby’s 2026 salary into a signing bonus, the team could clear additional cap space while increasing his trade appeal. That maneuver could even pressure Detroit into adding a third-round pick, further tilting the deal in the Raiders’ favor.

Importantly, the Raiders must meet the league’s cash spending floor, making Crosby’s contract situation a pressing issue regardless. Moving his salary while stockpiling draft capital could accelerate a full roster reset.

Detroit Is an Ideal Landing Spot for Crosby

A Crosby-to-Detroit scenario makes sense on multiple levels. Born roughly an hour outside Detroit, Crosby has previously stated he still has family in Michigan and has been widely believed to have grown up a Lions fan.

From a football standpoint, the Lions are firmly in a Super Bowl window and urgently need elite pass-rush help opposite Aidan Hutchinson. With players like Al-Quadin Muhammad providing limited upside, adding Crosby could transform Detroit’s defense overnight.

Pairing Crosby with Hutchinson would give the Lions one of the NFL’s most dominant edge-rushing duos—potentially the missing piece for a championship run.

Raiders Must Demand a King’s Ransom

Crosby may ultimately choose to remain with the Raiders, and Las Vegas could decide to build around him. However, the growing speculation surrounding his future suggests a trade is at least on the table.

If the Raiders do move on, they must extract a king’s ransom—and a Lions-centered package featuring multiple first-round picks and additional draft assets may be exactly that.

Or perhaps, the return could be even bigger.