Kansas City, Missouri
The Kansas City Chiefs have been linked to trade rumors involving Maxx Crosby, the All-Pro defensive end from the Las Vegas Raiders, as they look to improve their pass rush during the 2026 offseason. However, reports suggest that acquiring Crosby may be far more complicated than expected, with the team facing significant financial and roster challenges that could prevent the deal from happening.
Crosby’s cap hit for 2026 is expected to be around $30 million, meaning the Chiefs would need to clear substantial cap space to fit him onto their roster. Given Kansas City's already tight cap situation, accommodating Crosby's salary would require significant restructuring or the movement of other key players, which makes a potential trade difficult.
Furthermore, Chiefs GM Brett Veach is reportedly hesitant to part with multiple first-round picks—or anything equivalent—for Crosby. While Crosby’s value is undeniable, such a trade could end up “mortgaging the future,” leaving the team with a depleted draft capital pool that could affect their long-term plans. The Chiefs are still weighing whether pursuing Crosby would be worth the cost, especially given his high price tag.
For the Chiefs, one player who has been suggested as a logical "trade bait" in any deal for Crosby is defensive tackle Chris Jones. Jones, who is a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ defense, has a massive cap hit of $44.85 million in 2026, including a fully guaranteed base salary of $35 million. While Jones is still regarded as a top-5 defensive tackle in the league, his 2025 production showed signs of decline, with fewer pressures and sacks compared to his previous seasons.
Trading Jones would save the Chiefs a significant amount of cap space, potentially between $15-25 million depending on the structure of the deal. However, his dead cap value—approximately $19.5 million if traded or cut—would still be a financial burden. That said, trading Jones could be an attractive option for Kansas City if they aim to free up cap space and retool their defensive line, particularly with the emergence of young pass rushers like George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
According to sources from KC Kingdom and NFL Trade Rumors, Jones is considered one of the prime "trade bait" candidates for the Chiefs in 2026, especially if his production doesn't improve. The Raiders, in particular, could be a logical destination for Jones, as they need an elite defensive tackle to rebuild their defensive line. Furthermore, Jones’ playing style would fit well into the schemes of either Pete Carroll’s or Klint Kubiak’s defensive systems, which could make him even more appealing to the Raiders.
As the offseason progresses, the Chiefs are still deliberating on whether to make a play for Crosby, but they must also consider the long-term consequences of such a move. While acquiring Crosby would certainly bolster their defense, the potential cost of trading multiple first-round picks and moving a key player like Jones could put a serious strain on their future flexibility.
For now, the Chiefs face a difficult decision. The possibility of landing Crosby remains alive, but it will ultimately come down to how much the team is willing to sacrifice in both salary cap space and future draft capital to pull off a blockbuster trade.
