Packers Get Bad News on Potential Blockbuster Trade for Maxx Crosby

Green Bay, Wisconsin

The Green Bay Packers have been linked to trade rumors involving Maxx Crosby, the All-Pro defensive end from the Las Vegas Raiders, ahead of the 2026 offseason. However, recent reports suggest that securing Crosby could be far more complicated than initially thought, as the team faces significant financial and roster challenges to make such a deal possible.

Crosby’s cap hit for the 2026 season is projected to be around $30 million, a figure that would require the Packers to clear a substantial amount of cap space to accommodate him. Given that the Packers are already managing a tight cap situation, making room for Crosby would mean moving other significant contracts or restructuring parts of their roster.

Additionally, sources close to the team, including those from NFL Trade Rumors and Stadium Rant, indicate that Packers GM Ed Policy would be hesitant to part with multiple first-round picks to secure Crosby, despite his elite status. Offering two first-round picks, or an equivalent combination of high-value picks and players, could “mortgage the future,” a scenario Policy is unlikely to embrace unless Crosby is undeniably the missing piece to a championship run.

For the Packers, one player who has emerged as a logical "trade bait" in any potential deal for Crosby is linebacker Rashan Gary. With a cap hit of $28 million for 2026 and a dead cap value between $17-19 million, Gary’s salary makes him a potential cap casualty, especially given the Packers’ need to free up space. The team could save $19.5 million in cap space if they traded him after June 1.

Gary, who recorded 7.5 sacks in 2025, remains a productive starter but has shown inconsistency. At 29 years old in 2026, Gary’s window of peak performance may be closing, and with emerging talents like Micah Parsons setting a new standard for dominance on the edge, Gary could find himself being “shadowed” by younger, faster pass rushers. The Packers may decide to move on from Gary to focus on building a younger, more dynamic edge rusher rotation.

A trade package involving Gary and 1-2 first-round picks (or high-value picks combined with a depth player) could be a more realistic offer for the Raiders to accept. Gary’s proven ability as an edge rusher and his fit in the Raiders’ defensive rebuild makes him an attractive piece for a team looking to improve its defense. The Raiders, coming off a disappointing 2025 season, would likely value a young, proven pass rusher as they focus on reshaping their roster.

As the offseason progresses, the Packers will likely have internal discussions about the feasibility of pursuing Crosby, weighing the potential cost against the long-term sustainability of their roster. While acquiring Crosby would provide a massive boost to their defense, the Packers face significant obstacles in making such a trade happen—both financially and strategically.

For now, it seems that while the desire to land Crosby is there, the price may simply be too steep for Green Bay, leaving the Packers with tough decisions ahead as they look to improve their roster for the 2026 season.