In what has become an annual tradition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the offseason in desperate need of pass-rush help.
The Buccaneers haven’t had a player reach double-digit sacks since Shaq Barrett recorded 10 sacks in 2021.
The inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks has been the Achilles’ heel of the defense in recent seasons, and the front office is expected to prioritize upgrading the position this offseason — whether through the draft, free agency, or a trade.
With reports of Maxx Crosby’s growing discontent in Las Vegas, the star pass rusher has frequently been linked to Tampa Bay throughout the offseason. If Crosby truly becomes available, the Buccaneers would be just one of many teams calling the Raiders to gauge interest.
But if the Bucs are serious about getting a deal done, they hold a key advantage over the rest of the teams in the mix.
Buccaneers’ front office ties to the Raiders could impact a Maxx Crosby trade
The Raiders’ general manager is Jon Spytek. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because prior to taking the helm in Las Vegas, he spent nearly a decade in Tampa Bay working under Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
Spytek served as Licht’s Director of Player Personnel beginning in 2016 and worked his way up to assistant general manager in 2023, forming a strong professional relationship along the way.
To further add to Tampa Bay’s familiarity with Raiders leadership, minority owner Tom Brady played for the Buccaneers for the final three seasons of his career and won a Super Bowl with the franchise.
That familiarity isn’t limited to personal relationships; it also extends to roster construction and player evaluation.
Between Spytek’s extensive personnel role in Tampa Bay and Brady’s firsthand experience playing alongside some members of the current roster, the Raiders organization has a rare, intricate understanding of Buccaneers players compared to other teams in the mix.
That level of insight could make it easier for Las Vegas to quickly identify which Tampa Bay players would interest them in a potential trade package, streamlining negotiations and eliminating the uncertainty that typically accompanies blockbuster deals.
The NFL is a business above all else, and in business, relationships matter. Licht’s established relationships with both Spytek and Brady could help open communication lines during trade discussions and potentially give Tampa Bay an edge in negotiations.
To be clear, it would be beyond foolish to expect the Raiders to accept less value for their best player simply because of front-office relationships. That’s not the type of advantage being suggested here.
Perhaps the most meaningful benefit could be increased transparency in trade talks. Spytek may be more willing to keep Licht informed about competing offers, giving the Buccaneers an opportunity to match the strongest proposal before Crosby is moved elsewhere.
Having a potential “last licks” in a trade of this magnitude would be a rare and meaningful advantage.
Ultimately, the Raiders will — and should — do what’s best for their franchise. But if Tampa Bay can gain even a small edge through familiarity and trusted relationships, it could go a long way toward helping a deal come to fruition.