Rams should pounce on Maxx Crosby if his trade request is real

Maxx Crosby reportedly wants the Raiders to hire Antonio Pierce…or trade him

The Las Vegas Raiders ignored requests from players to hire interim head coach Rich Bisaccia two years ago and instead made the disastrous move to lock in Josh McDaniels. Now the Raiders best player is telling the team that they should hire Antonio Pierce, the interim to follow McDaniels after he was fired midseason, or he reportedly wants to be on a different team next season.

If true, the Los Angeles Rams need to consider saying “goodbye” to two more first round picks and Les Snead doing what he does.

According to Ian Rapoport, Silver and Black Pride, and other sources, Crosby’s tweet to “#HireAP” is more than just a public plea and that the star defensive end will accept whatever happens in LV’s hiring process. No, Crosby wants the team to hire Pierce or to trade him, according to these sources.

Sources close to Crosby said Crosby is serious about his stance and the perception that he wants out of Las Vegas if Pierce isn’t promoted is not an incorrect observation.

Crosby, who is entering his sixth NFL season, badly wants leadership stability and consistency within the organization. He supported interim coach Rich Bisaccia two years ago when Josh McDaniels was hired and he wants Pierce now.

Crosby, along with several other Raiders players, have publicly supported Pierce for weeks. He believes in his leadership and doesn’t see the point of hiring someone else.

Though Crosby has been in spats with Rams players such as Aaron Donald in joint practices in the past, the two All-Pro defensive linemen should be willing to hash out any issues and work together if the Raiders actually do put him on the block. If there are only 5 non-quarterbacks in the entire NFL who are worth two first round picks, Maxx Crosby is certainly one of them.

The 26-year-old defensive end has led the NFL in tackles for a loss in each of the last two seasons, posting 22 and 23 respectively, and he has 27 sacks in those two seasons. He’s never missed a game in his career and he’s also one of the best edge setters and run defenders in the NFL. He’s a relentless player who has the rare energy and commitment to match someone like Donald, and he’d be more valuable to the Rams than almost anyone they could pick with either of their next two first rounders.

Yes, if the Raiders are willing to make the huge mistake of trading Crosby, then Snead can’t make the huge mistake of not trading for Crosby.