SEATTLE, WA — The victory parade down 4th Avenue hasn’t even fully cleared the streets, but the Seattle Seahawks are already hunting for a repeat. After suffocating Drake Maye with six sacks in a dominant 29-13 Super Bowl LX victory, general manager John Schneider is rumored to be eyeing the ultimate “over the top” move: acquiring Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby.
The Trade That Would Break the NFC
While the Seahawks’ defense ranked sixth in pressure rate last season, the looming free agency of Boye Mafe creates a sudden void on the edge. CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan recently floated a deal that would send Seattle’s first- and second-round picks (No. 32 and No. 64) to Las Vegas in exchange for the five-time Pro Bowler. For a team that just hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, “punting” on the draft to secure a generational talent like Crosby is a gamble Schneider has shown a willingness to take in the past.
The Seahawks are sitting on a mountain of cash, boasting $73.1 million in available cap space. Even with Sam Darnold’s cap hit set to rise and stars like Devon Witherspoon nearing massive extensions, Seattle has the flexibility to absorb Crosby’s contract, which runs through 2029. The “Dark Side” defense was already terrifying in Santa Clara; adding Crosby to a rotation featuring Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall would be bordering on illegal in forty-nine states.
“We told the world our defense was the new standard. If you aren’t trying to get better, you’re getting worse. We want every quarterback who steps on that field to feel the walls closing in.”
— Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks Cornerback
Chasing History: The Path to a Repeat
Acquiring Crosby isn’t just about 2026; it’s about the legacy of Mike Macdonald’s scheme. Last Sunday, Seattle’s “Dark Side” unit held the Patriots scoreless for three quarters, proving that Macdonald’s system doesn’t just work—it dominates. Crosby, who recorded 14.5 sacks in 2025 despite the Raiders’ struggles, is the definitive “force multiplier.”
However, the cost is steep. Seattle enters the 2026 draft with only four total picks. Trading the top two would leave the cupboard bare for young, cheap talent. Yet, as we saw with the Rams’ “eff them picks” era, a Lombardi Trophy tends to silence the critics. With Klint Kubiak expected to take the Raiders’ head coaching job, the connection between these two front offices is stronger than ever. If Crosby wants to win now, and the Raiders want to rebuild around the No. 1 overall pick, the phone lines in Renton will be very busy this March.
