Tom Brady built his legendary career with the New England Patriots, winning six Super Bowl titles during his 20-year run with the franchise. However, his current involvement with the Las Vegas Raiders may have played a role in preventing New England from acquiring one of the league’s top defensive stars, Maxx Crosby.
During trade discussions involving Crosby, several teams were rumored to be interested, including the Dallas Cowboys. The Patriots were also reportedly among the organizations exploring the possibility of bringing the elite pass-rusher to their roster. However, the move ultimately never materialized. According to reports shared by ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, one individual involved in the trade negotiations suggested that Brady had no intention of allowing Crosby to be sent to New England. The source reportedly indicated that Brady would not approve a deal that would strengthen a team led by Mike Vrabel.
Despite Brady’s long and successful history with the Patriots, there has been no public conflict between the quarterback and the organization since his departure in 2020. After two decades in New England, Brady left the team and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he later captured another championship, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Since becoming a minority owner of the Raiders, Brady’s loyalties appear to have shifted fully toward the Las Vegas franchise. His comments ahead of Super Bowl LX illustrated that distance from his former team. When the championship matchup featured the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Brady stated on the “Let’s Go!” podcast hosted by Jim Gray that he had no personal stake in the outcome and simply hoped the better team would win.
There is also no known personal tension between Brady and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. In fact, the two share a long history together, having been teammates in New England for seven seasons beginning in 2001. Nonetheless, reports suggest Brady may have been hesitant to approve a move that would significantly strengthen his former team. At the time, the Patriots were considered strong contenders, having come within a single game of reaching the Super Bowl. Adding a dominant defensive force like Crosby could have further boosted their chances of competing for another championship.
Although the Patriots and Raiders compete in different divisions within the AFC, they could still potentially face each other in the postseason. That possibility may have also influenced the decision not to send Crosby to New England. However, if competitive concerns were the only factor, it might have raised questions about why Brady would allow the player to land with another potential contender.
Regardless of the reasoning behind the situation, signs had already begun to suggest that Crosby’s future with the Raiders was uncertain. Reports late in the 2025 season indicated that the star defender was unhappy with how events unfolded, particularly after he was benched toward the end of the year. According to those reports, Crosby believed he was healthy enough to continue playing, and the decision to keep him on the sidelines surprised many observers.
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign in which the Raiders finished with a 3–14 record, the organization appears to be entering a rebuilding phase. As part of that process, the team traded Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round draft selections.
With the departure of their defensive cornerstone, the Raiders are expected to focus heavily on improving their offense during the offseason. The team struggled significantly on that side of the ball in 2025, finishing last in the NFL in total offense with an average of just 245.2 yards per game. The offense produced only 25 touchdowns throughout the season and scored a total of 241 points.
The team also ranked poorly in both major offensive categories, placing 28th in passing offense and last in rushing offense. Those struggles highlight the scale of the rebuilding challenge facing the franchise as it attempts to return to competitiveness.
One potential step toward rebuilding the offense could come through the draft. The Raiders are widely expected to target quarterback Fernando Mendoza from the Indiana Hoosiers as part of their long-term plan at the position.
In addition to addressing quarterback, the Raiders may also look to strengthen their receiving corps through free agency. Analysts have suggested that the team could pursue Rasheed Shaheed, a wide receiver who previously won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Shaheed joined Seattle during the middle of the season through a trade and contributed with his explosive playmaking and return ability during their championship run.
Another factor that could make Shaheed an appealing target is his familiarity with Raiders offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The two previously worked together with the New Orleans Saints, meaning Shaheed already understands the offensive system that Kubiak is expected to implement in Las Vegas. That familiarity could allow him to adapt quickly and take on a larger role in the offense.
During the 2025 season, Shaheed recorded 59 receptions for 687 receiving yards and two touchdowns. In addition to his contributions as a receiver, he also demonstrated his value on special teams by returning both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns.
Although those statistics may not reflect the production of a typical No. 1 wide receiver, Shaheed’s versatility, speed, and experience in Kubiak’s system could make him a valuable addition to the Raiders’ roster. If the team signs him, he could provide an important spark as the franchise attempts to rebuild and develop a more dynamic offense in the coming seasons.