The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in dire need of help on defense this offseason, and perhaps none more so than at outside linebacker. The Bucs’ prize signing of last offseason, Haason Reddick, was on a one-year contract, and after a disappointing season, a reunion is all but certainly off the board. 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell has been a disappointment through two seasons.

Naturally, pundits and fans have turned their sights to notable players who might become available this offseason, and that focus has centered in significant part on Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer said in recent weeks that Crosby is seeking an exit from the team, so a trade is a conceivable option this offseason.

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So, what might it take for Tampa Bay to pry Crosby away from the Raiders? ESPN’s NFL staff put together four trade offers for Crosby, and Ben Solak put together a, let’s say, aggressive package for the Las Vegas star defender.

ESPN projects Bucs parting with Chris Godwin in trade offer for Raiders’ Maxx Crosby

Here’s what Solak proposed and his stated reasoning:

“Raiders get: WR Chris Godwin Jr., 2026 first-round pick (No. 15 overall), 2027 second-round pick

Buccaneers get: Crosby, 2027 fifth-round pick

Why this deal makes sense: Raiders general manager John Spytek worked under Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht for years in Tampa Bay, so he would likely value Godwin more than most other teams. Godwin would be a target sponge in Las Vegas and give Kubiak a quality blocking receiver. Godwin and a first-round pick, along with some more finagling in the middle rounds, should get the deal done.

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Crosby would solve the edge-rushing problem Tampa Bay has been unable to fix for years. The Bucs haven’t had a player reach 10 sacks in a single season since Shaquil Barrett in 2021; Crosby has done it in each of the past four seasons.”

It’s hard to envision giving up that sweet of a deal, regardless of the fact that former Bucs front office member John Spytek is in Las Vegas now. Take aside the fact that Chris Godwin is a Bucs legend. A first and a second plus a significant contributor like Godwin for Crosby and a fifth feels like a very heavy price to pay.

In looking at the other offers listed, Seth Walder is offering 2026 second and sixth round picks and a 2027 fifth rounder for Crosby. That seems significantly lighter. And the Cowboys at least get a second-round pick back with Crosby by sending George Pickens and a first rounder to the Raiders.

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I wrote before about how Crosby’s recent injury history (missed seven games over the last two seasons) and his price tag — he’s set to earn a base salary of $30 million in 2026 — are red flags that the Bucs should weigh heavily when considering whether to make a major move like this.

Parting with Godwin and a first and a second just feels like far too heavy a price to pay, with it being even a tougher blow if the Bucs can’t find a way to bring back Mike Evans this offseason.

Related: Talking head makes embarrassing mistake about Mike Evans and the Buccaneers on national television

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.