VT. A Deal Too Big to Ignore — Steelers Make a Franchise-Shifting Play for Raiders Star Maxx Crosby, Aiming to Build the NFL’s Most Feared Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a bold push to solidify their defense, and it’s clear that they are not holding back. With their defensive line struggling to make an impact this season and with hopes of returning to the playoffs, the Steelers have made a stunning offer to acquire star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders — a move many analysts are calling “impossible to ignore.”

According to sources close to the situation, Pittsburgh has put together a package that includes two first-round picks (2026 and 2027), a third-round pick in 2026, and two promising young defensive players, defensive tackle Eric Johnson and linebacker Zaire Franklin. In return, Pittsburgh hopes to add Crosby, who has been a one-man wrecking crew on a Raiders defense that has otherwise struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Maxx Crosby’s Continued Dominance

Despite the Raiders’ disappointing 2–5 record, Crosby has been a standout performer, with 4 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in just 7 games. As the heart and soul of Las Vegas’ defense, he’s consistently been the only reliable force in an otherwise chaotic unit. However, with the Raiders entering a rebuild, the possibility of parting with their defensive leader has become a real option, especially given the tempting offer from Pittsburgh.

The Steelers’ Defensive Needs

Pittsburgh has been searching for a dominant pass rusher since the departure of longtime defensive leader James Harrison. Through 8 games this season, Pittsburgh has only recorded 10 sacks — ranking near the bottom of the league. Their defensive pressure rate is a mere 22%, and head coach Mike Tomlin knows that if the Steelers are to compete for a playoff spot and beyond, they need an elite defender like Crosby to make an impact immediately.

Crosby’s arrival would instantly transform Pittsburgh’s defensive line, giving them a true game-changer who can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. His relentless play style would be a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s aggressive approach, and Crosby would immediately become a cornerstone of the unit.

Teammate Reactions

Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt expressed his excitement about the potential acquisition:

“If Maxx Crosby joins us, we’ll be a nightmare for any offense,” Watt said after practice. “The guy is relentless. He doesn’t stop, and that’s exactly the kind of energy we need. We’ve seen what he can do on the field, and having him on our side would make us that much stronger.”

Pittsburgh’s Playoff Push

The Steelers are clearly committed to making a push for the playoffs, and this aggressive move for Crosby shows that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get there. With the team’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, adding Crosby could be the missing piece they need to create a dominant defense and make a serious run at the postseason.

As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Raiders to see if they’ll accept Pittsburgh’s tempting offer. If the deal goes through, Maxx Crosby will be the centerpiece of a revamped Steelers defense that will give opposing offenses nightmares for years to come. Pittsburgh is ready to make a championship push — and Crosby may be the final piece to make it happen.

Geno Smith Has Strong Words for Jakobi Meyers After Raiders Trade

The Las Vegas Raiders decided to stay relatively quiet at the trade deadline, but they did make one move. The team traded away wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for fourth and sixth-round picks.

This move didn’t come as a surprise, considering Meyers requested a trade months ago. With the Raiders’ loss to the Jaguars in Week 9, it was clear that there was no reason to keep him on the roster.

Perhaps if they had won, they would’ve kept him and let him walk in free agency, but with the playoffs highly unlikely, they didn’t have much of a choice but to move him. The Raiders’ wide receiver corps was already very weak, and Meyers was the best of the bunch.

Regardless, quarterback Geno Smith doesn’t sound upset that Meyers forced his way out. He had some high praise for the wide receiver following the trade news.

“Hard-working guy, extremely hard-working,” Smith said of Meyers on Tuesday. “Very talented player. A guy who knows the game in and out. … He was a valuable asset for us on the offense. I wish him the best in the future. Hope he gets everything that he deserves.”

Chip Kelly Weighs in on Meyers Trade

Meyers was already struggling to be consistently productive for Las Vegas. He had four catches for less than 40 yards in each of the last four games he played for the Raiders.

That said, he’s been a good leader for the young wide receiver room and is also a strong blocker. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is already struggling with how to figure out how to score points, and he just lost his best wide receiver.

He stressed how important it is that other players step up now that Meyers is gone.

“It has to be multiple guys, Jakobi was such an impact player for us,” Kelly said when asked who will replace Meyers. “I wish him the best. He was a great practice player, and I enjoyed coaching him. He was a heck of a kid, but we got some other receivers who are going to have to pick it up.”

Who Could Fill the Void Left by Meyers?

Second-round pick Jack Bech didn’t play a single offensive snap in Week 9, and fellow rookie Dont’e Thornton was a healthy scratch. It seems that perhaps Tyler Lockett was brought in to replace Meyers, but he’s 33 years old.

It makes a lot more sense to give the rookies more reps. Bech is the most obvious candidate to replace Meyers. He has a very similar skillset, and as a second-round pick, he should be seeing the field more.

Thornton is more of a downfield speedster, so Meyers being gone doesn’t really change things for him. Bech hasn’t shown much this season. He has just seven catches for 73 yards. That said, the Raiders haven’t given him many opportunities. He’ll now have a chance to see the field a lot more. Tight end Brock Bowers is clearly the team’s No. 1 receiver, but the Raiders need a wide receiver to step up.