The Green Bay Packers already pulled off the heist of the century by trading for Micah Parsons. The last thing they needed was a division rival making a similar move for an all-world pass-rusher.
Maxx Crosby was again the subject of trade rumors this season. With the Las Vegas Raiders faltering and the Detroit Lions in need of a tag-team partner for Aidan Hutchinson, the door to the Packers' worst nightmares was seemingly ajar.
Fortunately, the Raiders slammed the door of Packers misery shut in the Lions' faces, with Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater of NFL Network reporting that Las Vegas won't trade Crosby. The team actually met with the All-Pro to tell him it's not happening. Even better, Crosby has no interest in leaving. Message sent.
Packers fans can relax now that the door to Maxx Crosby becoming a division rival is shut
It's not just the Lions, either. Any NFC team trading for Crosby is a no-no for the Packers. There's only room for one legendary pass-rusher in this conference, thanks very much.
Well, technically, there's already another who resides in the NFC North, and that's the problem. The Lions already boast a pass rush led by Aidan Hutchinson, who sits just behind Parsons as PFF's No. 2-ranked edge defender entering Week 8. Hutchinson has generated an incredible 48 pressures and seven sacks.
RELATED: Packers reportedly made call about stunning RB trade to make offense unfair
Detroit's biggest problem is the lack of a true threat on the other side. Adding a pass-rushing phenom like Crosby would've dismantled Green Bay's NFC North hopes, and probably its Super Bowl push, in a flash.
The Packers are learning how much of an impact a player like Parsons can have on a defense. Opposing offenses build their entire game plan around stopping him. Double teams, chips, holding on for dear life and breaking the rules — whatever it takes.
And, to some extent, that can work. It's difficult, but possible, to scheme around one elite pass-rusher. But two on the same team? Forget about it.
Crosby is in the same elite pass-rushing tier as Parsons and Hutchinson, and the thought of him in Detroit is truly evil.
The Lions may not have made the deal, regardless. For all of Brad Holmes' genius moves as the general manager, if there's a criticism, it's his lack of urgency in moments like this. Detroit's Super Bowl window is wide open, but nothing lasts for long in the NFL. An all-in move, like the Packers made for Parsons, would launch the Lions into another stratosphere.
They may still make a big splash before the trade deadline, but thanks to Pete Carroll and the Raiders, we don't have to worry about Crosby returning home to Michigan anytime soon.