49ers and NFC rival ‘nuclear hot’ in pursuit of Maxx Crosby but insider highlights big problem

Maxx Crosby’s future may not be fully decided yet after all.

After a blockbuster trade to the Baltimore Ravens collapsed earlier in the offseason due to medical concerns, the 28-year-old returned back to the Las Vegas Raiders as though nothing had happened.

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Having felt that being back in the Black and Silver of Raider nation was right where he belonged, it appeared that the Crosby saga was over.

That was until Myles Garrett’s stunning trade from the Cleveland Browns to the LA Rams back at the start of June.

The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year joining the Rams was a huge signal of intent from the franchise that they are going all in on trying to win a Super Bowl next season.

After all, they already have the reigning MVP in Matthew Stafford, a dynamic receiving corps of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and a revamped defense with the additions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.

There are even rumors ramping up that three-time NFL DPOY Aaron Donald is considering coming out of retirement to join Garrett on the defensive line with Super Bowl LXI set to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

49ers weighing up their options, Eagles also interested

That has got the San Francisco 49ers brass thinking about how they can compete with their rivals in the NFC West next season and beyond.

Acquiring a premier defensive end like Crossby could perhaps go some way to evening the score in the division.

And, according to longtime Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter, the 49ers are one of two teams who are in hot pursuit of him.

“I am telling you there is a lot of interest in Maxx Crosby,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast on Sunday.

“Two teams specifically are nuclear hot, the [Philadelphia] Eagles and the 49ers. I still believe there are two, maybe as many as three, other teams absolutely in play for Maxx.

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“Does that mean that Maxx is in [Raiders general manager John] Spytek’s office [saying], ‘I want out?’ No. Does that mean that Spytek is like, ‘Mhm, I want him gone?’ No.

“But it means, the reality is last year I told you I did not believe he was up for trade or even remotely available, and I was right. I was told that.

“I do believe someone could get Maxx. Absolutely. I think he could be had. It’d have to be the right team, and it would have to be the right price,” he added.

“… Do I think it is as probable as it was when the season ended? No. But I certainly don’t think it’s far-fetched.

“I would not be shocked or surprised with a trade. Not predicting one, but I would not be shocked or surprised. That’s just the reality.”

Carpenter’s latest report aligns with that of Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated who reported on Monday that the Niners likely have the draft capital that the Raiders would be seeking in return haul in order to put together a tempting package for a trade, should they opt to become sellers later in the 2026 season.

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Certainly the main questions still revolve around the star edge rusher’s health, having dealt with a nagging knee injury which saw him undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus on January 7.

But even while battling injury ailments, the five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 69.5 career sacks, and is widely hailed as one of the NFL’s most complete edge defenders.

However, the Niners have their own injury concerns to evaluate first, including that of Mykel Williams, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, who each suffered long-term injuries during the 2025 campaign.

“You still have so many pieces on this 49ers team that need to be evaluated, starting with Mykel Williams, who was really good last year when he was available, and then he tore his ACL,” David Lombardi of SF Standard said on Wednesday.

“So you’ve got to see where he’s going to be. You’ve got to see where Bosa’s at coming off the ACL this year. You want your young defensive tackles to blossom around Osa Odighizuwa. It’s all connected along the defensive line.

“Information is a good thing. Information is something that the 49ers want to collect as much as possible before they make any commitments that at this point would cost them over $30 million this year, which, quite frankly might not be in the 49ers’ cost structure if they want to keep this team sustainable with all the rising salaries moving forward.”

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While the Ravens had concerns when they initially swung a trade, the Niners may not, while Crosby himself is confident in his recovery and believes he has undergone the ‘best’ rehabilitation period of his career.

“I’m at the point where I’m almost there, but I forget that I need to relax a little bit, so that’s kind of been the biggest battle right now,” Crosby said on June 3.

“But ultimately, it has probably been the best [rehab] by far, and we’re not even to the finish line. … It’s been better because I’ve been able to focus on other things. Whether that’s being in the weight room, like I’m moving more weight than I ever have, and doing things in a different way, and being able to get my body the proper rest that it actually needs.”

For San Francisco, finding a way to agree for a deal for Crosby could be the only way they are able to keep up with their division rivals, as they seek their first Super Bowl since 1995.

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