Aidan Hutchinson and Maxx Crosby
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Aidan Hutchinson revealed he would be thrilled to see the Lions trade for disgruntled Raiders' pass rusher Maxx Crosby
The Detroit Lions have some work to do this offseason. After entering the 2025 campaign with Super Bowl expectations, the Lions wound up missing the playoffs entirely, as they struggled to find any sort of consistency on either side of the ball. In terms of silver linings, though, the Lions were thrilled to get Aidan Hutchinson back and see him produce at a high level after he suffered a gruesome season-ending injury early in 2024.
When Hutchinson has been healthy and on the field, he has been a game-changer for Detroit’s defense. The problem, though, is that he is the only guy on the team who can consistently get to the quarterback. The Lions will almost certainly look to add some more help for Hutchinson this offseason, but if they wanted to take a massive swing, they could look to swing a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for disgruntled pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Aidan Hutchinson Sheds Light on Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors
In Week 6 of the 2024 campaign, Hutchinson fractured both his tibia and fibula, ending what appeared set to be a breakout campaign for him. In just five games of work, Hutchinson had racked up 7.5 sacks and appeared to be well on his way to making a serious push for the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
After a lengthy rehab process, Hutchinson returned and played in all 17 games for Detroit in 2025. He looked as dominant as ever, as the former Michigan Wolverines star racked up 54 tackles, 14.5 sacks, one interception, three pass deflections, and four forced fumbles. Those numbers earned him a Pro Bowl selection and a spot on the All-Pro Second Team.
While Al-Quadin Muhammad broke out and racked up 11 sacks last season, he benefited greatly from the extra attention Hutchinson draws from opposing offensive lines. Adding another guy who can take some of that pressure off of Hutchinson is key, and it has led to Crosby being floated as a potential trade target. While Hutchinson knows it isn’t all that likely, he said it would be a “dream scenario” to get to team up with Crosby.
“The idea of it is incredibly promising,” Hutchinson said in an interview with Casino Guru News. “That sounds like a dream scenario to be playing alongside a beast like that. I was answering the same questions last year about Myles Garrett, so I don’t know the reality of this situation and how real this actually is, especially given our GM — if you listen to him talk a little bit about edge rushers, I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like it’d be something they pursue.”
Should the Lions Trade for Maxx Crosby?
maxx crosby
GettyLas Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
In theory, a duo of Hutchinson and Crosby seems like a great idea. The problem is that making it actually come to fruition would be tough, if not borderline impossible. Both Hutchinson and Crosby are playing on big-money contracts, so the Lions would have to be OK with devoting a huge chunk of their salary cap to their defensive line.
Simply put, the likelihood of Crosby getting traded to the Lions is low, even if Hutchinson and others appear to be in favor of it happening. Superstar team-ups are tough to happen for several reasons, money being the biggest of the bunch. And with Detroit having so many other holes that need to be filled on its roster, swinging a blockbuster deal for Crosby just wouldn’t make sense.