The Buffalo Bills have Josh Allen performing at an elite level once again, with the offense ranking among the best units in the league. However, defensive inconsistencies have often limited their ceiling, and their Divisional Round exit prompted a coaching overhaul.
Now, the Bills not only need to continue surrounding Allen with more talent, but also to reinforce the defense to maximize their franchise quarterback’s prime. As a result, they are being predicted to pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade for an edge rusher.
Bills Predicted to Make Blockbuster Move to Bolster Pass Rush
While the Bills’ defense ranked 13th in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, it generated the fewest pressures in 2025 and ranked 26th in total sacks. Adding a player like Maxx Crosby, who has drawn significant interest amid a strained relationship with the Las Vegas Raiders, could instantly elevate the Bills into Super Bowl favorites.
CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan predicted such a scenario could unfold this offseason, saying, “If there were a team willing to go full [Micah] Parsons and send Las Vegas two first-round picks plus a player, there’s a strong argument it would be Buffalo,” Sullivan argued. “President of football operations Brandon Beane may also be feeling enough pressure to pull the trigger.”
Here’s the trade he proposed:
- Bills get: EDGE Maxx Crosby
- Raiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), 2027 first-round pick, WR Keon Coleman
“When the Bills square off against Mahomes, Jackson, Burrow, and Maye in 2026, they’d be glad they added a game-wrecker like Crosby, no matter the cost,” Sullivan added.
“Speaking of cost, one factor that could derail this blockbuster is Buffalo’s salary-cap situation, as the club is currently $7.5 million over the cap. As for the Coleman component, the Raiders are thin at receiver, and the Bills’ front office doesn’t appear sold on the former second-round pick, making this a potential change-of-scenery fit.”
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Drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Crosby has worked his way up to become one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Over his career, he has recorded 69.5 sacks and 423 pressures, accounting for 35% of the Raiders’ total pressures. Only Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt have generated more pressures during that span.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Crosby also ranks fifth in sacks and second in total pressures since entering the NFL. With his relationship strained with the Raiders, there’s a real possibility he could get traded.
However, Crosby’s contract presents a challenge. He signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension featuring $91.1 million in guaranteed money. His 2026 cap hit is $35 million, most of which would be transferred to the Bills, a team already over the cap.
That said, the Bills do have financial flexibility. Through restructures, they could potentially free up around $75 million in space. They could also consider releasing veterans such as tight end Dawson Knox or wide receiver Curtis Samuel to create additional room.
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For the Raiders, the return would include a capable young receiver in Coleman, who has recorded 67 receptions for 960 yards and eight touchdowns across two seasons. He ranked 60th in PFSN’s WR Impact metric last season. Along with two first-round picks, the Raiders would gain valuable assets to accelerate a rebuild, which will still start, at least in part, with a new quarterback in 2026.
Whether the Bills ultimately pull the trigger may come down to how aggressively they’re willing to push their chips in to maximize Allen’s prime.
