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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 04: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jon Gruden may be one of the better defensive minds the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seen. Fans fondly remember when Gruden led the vaunted 2002 edition of the squad to a Super Bowl title backed by defensive legends such as Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp. So, when Gruden advises the Bucs on what to do on that side of the football nowadays, you better believe people will pay attention.
Especially considering the name that Gruden threw out, Bucs fans could start getting excited. Appearing on the Drive wit TKras, Gruden spoke on the possibility of the Bucs potentially going after Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Jon Gruden’s Endorsement of a Defensive Game-Changer
“Yeah, I mean, if you’re anybody, you make a big play for Maxx,” Gruden said. “If you’re the Raiders, you’re one of the dumbest franchises in America if you let him outta there. He’s under contract, and he’s the best player on the team — I think he’s arguably the most impactful edge rusher in football. Absolutely, I think that’s a winning edge that a great defense has, it’s a fourth-quarter pass rush. When we got Simeon Rice, things changed for us.”
Having coached Crosby from 2019 to 2021, Gruden knows firsthand how impactful of a player Crosby has been in the league and could be for a franchise looking for a difference maker. After all, since entering the league in 2019, Crosby already has 69.5 career sacks, with four double digit sack seasons already to his name. He also led the league in tackles for loss for two seasons straight.
The Financial and Philosophical Hurdles for Tampa Bay
For the Bucs however, the challenge lies in their somewhat cautious approach to trades. General manager Jason Licht does not have a propensity to make big moves. Plus, Crosby has already signed a massive extension on his contract worth 106.5 million dollars, with 91.5 million guaranteed, and he only played out one year of that deal.
Still, at least to Gruden, Crosby could be worth the big swing. In his interview, he brought up how a player like Micah Parsons completely revamped the look of the Green Bay Packers defensively and reshaped the direction of the franchise. “I think the Buccaneers need to take a page out of the Green Bay Packers — they went out and got Parsons,” Gruden added. “Perhaps Jason Licht can swing a deal to get a great rusher, and I’m sure he’s looking at the guys that are available in this draft, as well”.
It is clear that the edge rusher spot has been an area of concern for the team for quite some time. After finishing 18th in the league in sacks, they certainly need fresh talent to come in and rejuvenate the front. Whether or not Crosby is that guy, or the Bucs continue to build their team with a more steady approach could be the difference between contention and another lost season for the team.
Gruden might not be the coach of the team anymore, but he’s certainly thinking like one.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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