For much of last season, the Detroit Lions were frequently linked to a potential trade for Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Given that Detroit had lost nearly every key defensive starter, the idea of making a major move to acquire Crosby for a playoff push seemed justifiable.
However, that trade never materialized, and while Lions fans don’t need a reminder of how their season ended, the possibility of landing Crosby remained a topic of speculation—especially with the Raiders still far from contending in the stacked AFC West.
That hope may have been officially shut down by Pete Carroll. During his introductory press conference as the Raiders’ new head coach, Carroll made it clear that Crosby remains central to the team’s future.
Pete Carroll Dashes Lions’ Hopes of Landing Maxx Crosby
“Maxx, send the message, man,” Carroll said on Monday. “We’re coming after you. We’re going to come find you guys and get this thing rolling as soon as possible. With the highest of expectations and with a mentality that will drive high performance in a way that, hopefully, everyone’s going to hear us. And they’re going to know us.”
Well, so much for that dream. While it’s possible this is just a strategic move to drive up Crosby’s trade value before the draft, Carroll’s comments suggest otherwise.
His direct message to Crosby, who was in attendance, implies he plans on coaching him well into 2025 and beyond. Trading him after such a public endorsement would be unusual, though with the Raiders, anything is possible.
For now, Lions fans will have to keep their hopes of a Crosby-Aidan Hutchinson pairing alive in Madden rather than reality. But who knows? Maybe willing it into existence is exactly what Pete Carroll wants them to do.
