The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly looking to trade Maxx Crosby amid his growing frustration with the team, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as a potential destination. With Tampa Bay urgently needing to bolster their pass rush, acquiring Crosby could transform their defense, but the cost is expected to be steep given his impact and desire to compete for a championship.
Maxx Crosby has openly expressed his unwillingness to continue playing for the Raiders, even telling part owner Tom Brady he will not play another down for the franchise. This situation creates an opportunity for the Buccaneers; however, the Raiders are anticipated to demand more than just draft picks to move a player of Crosby’s caliber. Tampa Bay would likely have to part with high-value assets, including established players, to reach a deal.
Historical trades for elite players suggest that draft capital alone rarely suffices. For example, the Green Bay Packers traded Kenny Clark to acquire Micah Parsons, and the Indianapolis Colts sent Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets in their deal for Sauce Gardner. These precedents indicate the Buccaneers must offer notable players in the package alongside selections.
Jon Spytek, the recently appointed general manager of the Raiders, spent nearly a decade with the Buccaneers’ front office from 2016 to 2024. His intimate knowledge of Tampa Bay’s roster might influence his interest in certain players, heightening the chances that specific Buccaneers could become targets in trade discussions.
To truly address Tampa Bay’s struggling pass rush, including a high-impact Buccaneers player in the trade package appears essential to secure Crosby’s services.
Potential Buccaneers Players That Could Be Included in a Maxx Crosby Trade
Cornerback Zyon McCollum as a Key Asset
The Raiders face a pressing need at cornerback, especially with Eric Stokes, their best cornerback last year, entering free agency. This lack of depth makes Zyon McCollum an attractive candidate from Tampa Bay’s roster. McCollum recently signed a three-year, $48 million extension keeping him with the Buccaneers through 2028, marking him as a significant commitment for Tampa Bay.
Before his extension, McCollum was regarded as one of the NFL’s promising young corners but posted a somewhat disappointing 2025 campaign. At 26 years old, he still holds the potential to develop into a No. 1 cornerback. However, with Tampa Bay reinforcing the position recently by drafting Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, McCollum might be expendable if it helps land a transformative player like Crosby.
Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan and His Offensive Upside
The Raiders are keen to strengthen their offensive support around their expected No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Adding a receiver with McMillan’s upside would provide significant help. While Tampa Bay values McMillan highly as their prospective No. 2 wide receiver beside Emeka Egbuka, the team’s uncertainty at the wide receiver position, with Mike Evans’s future unclear and Chris Godwin Jr. nearing career end, might make McMillan available in a trade.
McMillan showed promise in his rookie year by accumulating 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. Although a preseason neck injury sidelined him for most of the 2025 season, he returned with an impressive seven catches for 114 yards in just one of the four games he played, demonstrating his capacity to influence games. For the Raiders, acquiring a player with McMillan’s talent and potential impact fits their rebuilding strategy.
Benjamin Morrison: A Risky but Possible Trade Candidate
Trading Benjamin Morrison may seem unlikely at first glance, as Tampa Bay selected him in the second round only last year following a standout career at Notre Dame. Morrison displayed elite coverage skills in college, intercepting nine passes, but his rookie season was problematic. Injuries limited him to just 10 games, and his overall performance ranked near the bottom among qualifying cornerbacks, including below-average grades in both pass coverage and run defense.
At only 22 years old entering the next season, Morrison still has a chance to develop, but his ongoing health concerns raise significant doubts. If the Raiders see him as a vital part of a Crosby trade package, Tampa Bay might consider including him. Given how challenging it is to acquire elite pass rushers and the relative ease of replacing Morrison, the Buccaneers could decide that parting ways with him is worthwhile.
Bringing Maxx Crosby to Tampa Bay would not only boost their pass rush but could elevate their defense to championship contender status. With Spytek’s insight into the Buccaneers’ lineup, the Raiders might seek particular players who can fill key roles for their squad while shipping out Crosby. Ultimately, maximizing the return for Crosby will require Tampa Bay to sacrifice valuable talent, setting the stage for significant roster changes on both sides.
