The Las Vegas Raiders cleaned house this week after a disappointing 2024 season, firing head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday and general manager Tom Telesco on Thursday. It was initially reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that Telesco would stay with the team for the 2025 season, but owner Mark Davis wants to start fresh and bring in a new regime.
The Raiders are set to hire their fifth head coach since 2021 and third general manager since 2019. The franchise has suffered three consecutive losing seasons and has been extremely dysfunctional over the last few years, leaving superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby's future up in the air.
Crosby reiterated on Wednesday during an episode of his podcast "The Rush" that he wants to be a Raider long term, but he also stated that winning will always be the No. 1 priority.
"All I want to do is win, and that's the No.1 most important thing," Crosby said on an episode of his podcast this week. "I love being a Raider. I want to win here. But like I said, we'll see, and I'm gonna take it one day at a time."
It's clear that Crosby is growing frustrated with the instability within the organization, and his future with the Raiders has never been more uncertain. If Las Vegas decides or is forced to trade the three-time Pro Bowler this offseason, The 33rd Team's Tyler Brooke lists the Green Bay Packers as a potential landing spot for Crosby.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has turned things around for Green Bay's defense after years of struggling under Joe Barry. The Packers finished seventh in defensive DVOA this year and fourth in the league with 31 takeaways.
However, the pass rush was a major issue for most of this season. The Packers were 26th in pass rush win rate, with the team's EDGEs struggling with the transition to a 4-3 base scheme. No player on the Packers' defense had 50 or more pressures, with Rashan Gary leading the way with 47.
Crosby would be an ideal fit in Hafley's scheme. In addition to being a legitimate pass rusher, Crosby has the size, length, and play strength to handle the point of attack in the run game as a 4-3 defensive end. It's an ideal fit for both parties, provided that Brian Gutekunst is willing to take on the rest of Crosby's contract while giving up some significant draft capital for a "win now" move.
Green Bay's pass rush has been below average this season, and general manager Brian Gutekunst must bolster the unit in the offseason if the Packers want to compete for a Super Bowl.
Adding Crosby to the team's defense would be a blockbuster move. The 2019 fourth-round pick is one of the best and most all-around pass rushers in the NFL, as Crosby has little to no weaknesses in his game and has a relentless motor.
It will cost the Packers a first-round pick and more to acquire Crosby, but it would be a fantastic win-now move for a Green Bay team with a roster capable of competing for a Lombardi Trophy for years to come.
