At this point in the NFL season, the Patriots have been on the outside looking in, losing far too much to make the playoffs and watching the Super Bowl at home like the rest of us. This year is different, since they'll be playing in the biggest game of all, but that doesn't mean some conversations about the offseason can't be had, particularly about free agency and trades.
Fans have already had their eyes on a few of the top players expected to hit the market, or those who have long been speculated to be moved by their team ahead of next season. One of the biggest names still discussed is defensive end Maxx Crosby, whose season with the Raiders ended on a sour note.
A difference of opinion regarding an injury he eventually needed surgery to repair prompted Crosby to leave the Raiders' facility in frustration at the end of the year. That prompted a lot of conversation about Las Vegas potentially moving on, despite Crosby and the team shutting those down.
But that doesn't mean it won't happen. The NFL has shown that every player has a price, time and time again, and based on the numbers, there's no reason the Patriots can't get the 5-time Pro Bowler through the door.
Pulling off a trade for Maxx Crosby might not be as difficult for the Patriots as previously thought
While discussing 15 players who could be cut or traded during the 2026 offseason, former agent Joel Corry broke down Crosby's contract situation and how it would affect the Raiders and the Patriots if a trade were to occur.
Although it wouldn't be favorable to move on from one of the best players in franchise history, trading Crosby would save the Raiders over $30 million, and they'd only take on just over $5 million in dead cap.
Considering the star power of Crosby and the contract that inevitably comes with it, that's a lot of money to save that could be used to build around their next franchise quarterback, who will likely be the No. 1 overall pick in April.
- 2026 salary cap number: $35,791,250
- 2026 compensation: $30.782 million
- 2026 dead money: $5,101,250
- 2026 salary cap savings: $30.69 million
They'll need that kind of money to give the rookie the kind of roster he needs to succeed, and moving Crosby might be one of the toughest, yet sensible, moves they can afford to take on.
That's where the Patriots can swoop in and pull off the first blockbuster trade of Mike Vrabel's tenure in New England.
Surely, it would cost a pretty penny to get a deal done, with most analysts believing it would have to include at the very least, one first-round picks and maybe even a player.
The Patriots aren't necessarily in a position to move on from that kind of draft capital, but they have their quarterback and are already competing for a Super Bowl, so clearly, they don't need to hoard high draft picks in hopes of being just one move away from winning a Lombardi.
Crosby would immediately fill a weakness on the defense and make them an even more legitimate threat than they already are. It's certainly a move that Vrabel and Co. should seriously consider, especially given the numbers.