Even though they missed the playoffs last season, the Detroit Lions are still viewed as one of the NFC’s top contenders. Yet rumors have also linked the team to several trades that would address a specific need, and for whatever reason, they’ve yet to pull the trigger.
Now, a former NFL general manager is urging the Lions to reconsider.
Mike Tannenbaum Tells Detroit Lions to Trade for Maxx Crosby
While the Lions haven’t been afraid to invest in their skill position group or their offensive line, they’ve yet to push their chips all-in for another impactful edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
Yet, with Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby getting into training camp scuffles with the team’s starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, some wonder if trade discussions could be reignited in the desert.
If so, former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum stated his case on ESPN’s “Get Up” for why the Lions should trade for the Raiders’ $106.5 million All-Pro edge rusher. In fact, he called the trade a “no-brainer” from the Lions’ perspective.
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“You have a quarterback that’s closer to the end than the beginning,” Tannenbaum said. “Earlier in the show, Dan Graziano reported from Vegas, and Maxx Crosby is practicing. To me, this is a no-brainer. You’re in a win-now mode with pressure. Go give up two second-round picks if you’re the Detroit Lions, and go get Maxx Crosby.”
“Put Aidan Hutchinson on one side, and Maxx Crosby on the other.”@RealTannenbaum says that the Lions need to make a big move 👀 pic.twitter.com/is9gmdt983
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) August 7, 2026
Yet, Tannenbaum’s projected trade cost may be a bit off. The Baltimore Ravens previously agreed to trade two first-round picks, including the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to the Raiders for Crosby, but backed out after a failed physical. That price was good enough for the Raiders to say yes. Would Tannenbaum’s proposal get the job done?
Chances are, the Raiders would want at least a first-round pick, and if Detroit expects to return to the postseason, then the selection would come in the 20s. Plus, the Raiders don’t seem interested in trading their All-Pro pass rusher right now. They may prefer to kick off the season and see how many wins they can rack up before deciding on Crosby’s future closer to the NFL trade deadline in November.
From Detroit’s perspective, it never hurts to present an offer, hopefully too good for Las Vegas to refuse. After all, the Lions are looking to bounce back after a down season, and Crosby, who, according to PFN’s EDGE Impact Metric, posted an impact score of 89.3 last season, ranking fifth at his position, is one of the NFL’s best.
