Maxx Crosby
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions could be back to the drawing board in their quest to find a competent edge-rushing partner for Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions have tried several different ways to find a counterpart to their star pass rusher, using draft picks and free agency in their bid to give Hutchinson some help off the edge. Though the team did find some useful contributors, they have failed to find anyone near Hutchinson’s level of production.
That could have changed this offseason, when the Lions were rumored to be in strong pursuit of Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. But an insider’s update this week indicates that the Raiders may be planning to hold onto their $106.5 million star.
Fowler reported that “at least a dozen” teams expressed their interest in Crosby, but sources around the league believe he will ultimately stay in Las Vegas.
“Why would you trade him?” one general manager told Fowler. “He’s a premier player at a premier position.”
Another executive from an NFC team told Fowler that the expected asking price — two first-round picks plus a player — is too much for Crosby.
“I think the price is too high. I’m not sure they really want to move him at this point. But that could change,” the executive said.
SI.com’s John Maakaron reported that the Lions were expected to make a strong bid for Crosby, with general manager Brad Holmes willing to cough up the big askign price.
“According to many in league circles, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes was more than willing to be aggressive to meet the trade demands of the Las Vegas Raiders, which included parting ways with two-first round draft picks,” Maakaron wrote. “Detroit’s entire coaching staff and front office were in agreement that adding Crosby would have been a move that would instantly put the team in serious contention to win the Super Bowl.”
Detroit’s Situation Getting Complicated
The Lions may be moving into a holding pattern after another recent development for their defense. Cornerback Terrion Arnold’s name was listed in legal documents related to the pretrial detention of a man accused of planning a kidnapping and robbery during a car ride where the Lions cornerback was present.
SI.com’s Maakaron reported that the Lions have backed off any aggressive trade plans until they have more clarity surrounding Arnold.
“League sources express the recent developments with cornerback Terrion Arnold will likely put a pause on Detroit’s willingness to part ways with early round picks, as the team may now need to use one on a cornerback in the not too distant future,” Maakaron wrote.
The Lions face some more immediate choices, including whether to keep edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad as he heads to free agency. Muhammad registered 11.0 sacks in 17 games for the Lions this season, their most productive edge rusher since Hutchinson was drafted with a first-round pick in 2022.
The Lions could have plenty of options if Muhammad leaves in free agency. This year’s class is deep with veterans, including Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa.