Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast that the 49ers are among the teams most aggressively pursuing Maxx Crosby.
"I am telling you there is a lot of interest in Maxx Crosby," Carpenter said. "Two teams specifically are nuclear hot: the Eagles and the 49ers. I still believe there are two, maybe as many as three other teams absolutely in play for Maxx."
"Does that mean that Maxx is in [GM John] Spytek's office saying, 'I want out.' No," Carpenter said. "Does that mean that Spytek is saying, 'I want him gone.' No. But I would not be shocked or surprised with a trade. Not predicting one, but I would not be shocked or surprised."
What a Deal Would Cost
49ers insider Grant Cohn provided the specific framework in a June 15 video on his YouTube channel.
"The 49ers aren't necessarily done making moves this offseason," Cohn said. "According to a source, they're one of several teams that are still interested in trading for Maxx Crosby."
The 49ers have been interested in a trade for Maxx Crosby for a considerable amount of time now
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) June 17, 2026
I first caught wind of it in January of 2025 but I believe the biggest factor right now with a potential trade is Maxx wanting to stay in Vegas
I’ve said all along the 49ers could… https://t.co/Z2Ukls6R7Q
"What it would take to trade for Maxx Crosby would be a first-round pick and a player, or a first-round pick and a second-round pick," Cohn said. "I say the Niners should make both offers. Let the Raiders pick what they want. You can have a first and a second or a first and Mykel Williams."
Why It Makes Sense for San Francisco
The 49ers' need at edge rusher is pretty big.
Nick Bosa is coming off an ACL injury, and the depth behind him has been a concern throughout the offseason.
🚨🚨#49ers and #Eagles are favorites to trade for #Raiders Maxx Crosby pic.twitter.com/To8FLqqh9r
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 17, 2026
The Rams added the best defensive player in football to a division San Francisco already had to share with the defending champion Seahawks, and Kyle Shanahan's team has real catching up to do.
Crosby is exactly the kind of player who closes that gap.
The Reasons for Caution
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated was asked in his mailbag whether the 49ers could pull off a Crosby trade before the season and suggested it is unlikely.
"I don't think so," Breer responded. "It'd take, at this point, a contract dispute that I may not have seen yet. So I'm not saying it won't happen, but anything could happen."
Crosby is also still recovering from offseason knee surgery, the same knee issue that reportedly torpedoed the Ravens trade in March, and Carpenter noted the Raiders are in no hurry to move him while he is not yet at full strength.
Las Vegas finished a league-worst 3-14 last season and could revisit the situation if they struggle out of the gate in 2026, but for now Crosby is a Raider, and the 49ers' interest is real although probably not imminent.
