The Raiders’ decision to shut down Maxx Crosby last season, as the team angled for the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, rankled the decorated edge rusher. Crosby pushed for a trade, making a quiet request early this offseason. You’ve probably heard how that all went down. Months later, Crosby is back anchoring Las Vegas’ defense.
Vegas is in better shape heading toward this year’s trade deadline than it has been in the recent past, sitting 4-4 under new HC Klint Kubiak. Crosby, 29, was dissatisfied with the team’s rebuilding course entering this offseason; he no longer feels that way, however. Crosby does not want to leave, per The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero and ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Even after the failed Ravens agreement, Crosby rumors emerged. But the All-Pro EDGE looked to be rejuvenated as a Raider following the nixed trade. Crosby interpreted the Ravens calling off the deal as a sign he should stay in Vegas, Pelissero adds, and Schefter indicates no Raiders trade discussions with other teams have occurred this season.
Mark Davis said in April he did not want the Raiders to trade Crosby, and Pelissero adds the two maintain a close relationship. A string of bad Raiders drafts under Jon Gruden did produce Crosby, who has become one of the best defenders in team history and a player who has anchored the franchise’s defenses during a down period. The five-time Pro Bowler recovered from meniscus surgery and has started all eight Raider games this season. He has accumulated three sacks an 18 QB hits; the latter number ranks fourth in the NFL.
“Maxx absolutely does not want to leave Las Vegas under any circumstances,” a source told Schefter. “His hope, though not in his full control, is that he remains a Raider for life.”
Ravens concerns about Crosby’s long-term knee health scuttled the trade, though many accused Baltimore management of getting cold feet — as two first-rounders were coming back to Vegas in the swap. Crosby holding up health-wise will surely entice teams before the deadline, and Pelissero indicates another two-first-rounder offer would seemingly bring the Raiders back to the table.
No other team is believed to have offered that since the Ravens deal fell through, but with Jeffery Simmons fetching two 1s at 29, Crosby could conceivably draw such an offer once again. Though, his Ravens physical will undoubtedly come up as teams ponder what to propose for the eighth-year veteran.
Trading Simmons was not a Titans priority, but a Bears two-first-rounder offer changed the AFC South team’s plan. Considering the Raiders already agreed on such a swap, it would not be stunning to another deal come to pass. The Raiders may not be able to command what they could now for Crosby given his age and purported health situation.
Making a deal now will probably need to be considered, though the .500 team is in the thick of the wild-card race. Considering the run of bad years this franchise has experienced, cashing out on Crosby could certainly be deflating. Crosby likes what Kubiak is building, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. This comes months after Kubiak’s initial post-trade overture went over well with the cornerstone pass rusher. Then again, the Raiders could use more assets to build a roster around Fernando Mendoza beyond 2026.
Crosby is on a $35.5MM-per-year deal that runs through the 2029 season. His 2027 base salary ($29MM) is fully guaranteed. Because Crosby’s contract does not carry any void years or signing bonus money (beyond 2026), he would be easy for the Raiders to trade from a cap perspective. As it stands, the Raiders are prepared to hang onto their top defender. As the Bears’ Simmons offer showed, however, few players in the NFL are truly untouchable.
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