In a jaw-dropping twist that’s igniting debates across the NFL, a proposed three-team blockbuster trade has surfaced that could send shockwaves through the league’s balance of power. According to multiple league insiders and front-office rumblings, the Indianapolis Colts may be on the verge of trading a current starter in a high-stakes deal that would bring a $16 million-per-year superstar to Lucas Oil Stadium. If this deal is finalized, it could be one of the most seismic mid-offseason maneuvers in recent history.
Sources close to the situation have revealed that the trade, still in advanced negotiations, would involve the Indianapolis Colts, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Minnesota Vikings. The centerpiece of the deal? Colts standout defensive end Kwity Paye is rumored to be the primary asset on the move. In exchange, Indianapolis would acquire Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most ferocious pass rushers in the game today.
Maxx Crosby, 27, signed a $94 million extension with the Raiders in 2022 and has since lived up to every penny of that deal. But the Raiders’ recent coaching overhaul, combined with a front-office reshuffle, has left Crosby reportedly unhappy with the team’s trajectory. League sources say he is open to a new beginning on a contender, and the Colts—with their strong core and rising quarterback in Anthony Richardson—fit the mold perfectly.
The Vikings’ role in the deal appears to be centered around facilitating cap flexibility and swapping draft assets. Minnesota would reportedly receive a second-round pick from Indianapolis and send a rotational defensive lineman to the Raiders to soften the blow of losing Crosby.
Colts GM Chris Ballard has remained tight-lipped about the trade rumors, but insiders close to the organization claim that the front office is “aggressively pursuing” an elite edge rusher to pair with their young and athletic defense. The team has the cap space to absorb Crosby’s contract, and the coaching staff reportedly views him as a transformational presence on and off the field.
If completed, this trade could elevate the Colts into immediate playoff contention in the loaded AFC. The addition of a proven game-wrecker like Crosby would instantly change the tone of Gus Bradley’s defensive unit and provide the kind of edge dominance Indianapolis hasn’t seen since the days of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Opposition to the trade centers around the potential loss of Kwity Paye, who has steadily improved each year and is viewed by many within the organization as a foundational player. But in today’s NFL, impact often outweighs potential, and the chance to bring in a superstar like Crosby may prove too tempting to pass up.
The trade has not yet been finalized, but sources suggest an announcement could come within the next 72 hours. If it goes through, the implications for all three teams—particularly Indianapolis—could redefine their 2025 season trajectory.
For now, fans wait with bated breath as the Colts front office weighs one of the boldest moves in franchise history.