Tension between Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders has reportedly continued to escalate, fueling growing belief around the league that the All-Pro edge rusher could soon find himself on the trade block.
When an elite player under contract through 2029 suddenly feels even slightly attainable, every team with a pass-rush need has to at least consider the possibility.
That includes the Carolina Panthers.
The question now isn’t whether Crosby would help the Panthers; it’s whether general manager Dan Morgan is willing to break from his draft-first blueprint to make the kind of splash move that would immediately alter the franchise’s trajectory.
Potential Maxx Crosby trade doesn’t fit into Carolina Panthers’ blueprint under Dan Morgan
In two years of running the front office, Morgan has shown one defining trait. He does not like giving away draft picks. He’s maneuvered around the draft board. He’s made player-for-player swaps. He’s even flipped seventh-round linebacker Michael Barrett for cornerback Mike Jackson Sr. in what turned out to be one of his sharper moves.
What he hasn’t done is mortgage premium capital for established stars. That’s exactly what a Crosby trade would require.
This is the core question. If the Panthers were a dominant edge rusher away from a Super Bowl defense, perhaps Morgan would consider pushing his chips to the center of the table. The truth is, they are not there yet.
Rookie Nic Scourton has flashed promise. D.J. Wonnum is a free agent and may not be back. Patrick Jones II is recovering from back surgery. Princely Umanmielen is developing. The unit needs help, but it also needs depth and long-term infrastructure.
And that brings us to quarterback Bryce Young.
The case for acquiring Crosby hinges on one argument: maximize the rookie contract window. An elite defense can carry a team deep into the playoffs, especially if your quarterback hasn’t fully ascended into superstardom yet. But sacrificing multiple high picks reduces the margin for error elsewhere on the roster.
The Panthers might decide to explore the possibility. They would be foolish not to. But unless the price unexpectedly drops, something like a first and second without additional premium sweeteners, it’s hard to see Morgan deviating from his draft-centered blueprint.
Carolina is ahead of schedule. They’re competitive. They’re improving. But they are still under construction, not finished.
Trading for Crosby would be thrilling. Sticking to the plan might be wiser. And if the last two years are any indication, Morgan prefers gradual progress over bombshell splashes.