Raiders Must Be Open to Maxx Crosby Trade This Offseason Amid Latest NFL Rumors

The Las Vegas Raiders may have intended to win in 2025 when they hired head coach Pete Carroll and subsequently traded for quarterback Geno Smith this past offseason. However, they've fully embraced the tank in recent weeks, going so far as to shut down Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby for the final two weeks of the season.

The latest plan appears to have worked. Las Vegas got blown out by a then-two-win Giants team in Week 17, moving into the top spot in the 2026 draft order in the process.

As long as the Raiders don't mess around and beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, they'll be able to choose their quarterback in the 2026 draft. And while securing a chance to draft Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore could be the move that helps turn around the franchise, the decision to sideline Crosby didn't sit well with the defensive standout.

To be clear, sitting Crosby wasn't just about securing the No. 1 pick. He's been battling a knee injury since late October, and while he wanted to play through the injury until the season's end, Las Vegas had other ideas.

"Crosby sought two second opinions, had respected doctors tell him he'd be fine to finish out the season and then have surgery," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote. "However, the Raiders decided to shut him down, leading to an incensed Crosby leaving the facility on Friday."

Would Las Vegas have allowed Crosby to keep playing if it were battling for a playoff spot? Probably, and so it's easy to see why the five-time Pro Bowler wasn't thrilled with the decision.

Now, it seems that Crosby has cooled off a bit since first being told his season is over.

"I'm here at the facility. I have a lot of thoughts and emotions, but I'm focused on putting the work in and being with my teammates," Crosby told Let's Go! with Jim Gray.

As one would imagine, though, reports of Crosby's discontent rapidly made waves in league circles, prompting other teams to wonder if he could be available.

According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, "about 20 teams" called the insider to ask if Crosby really might be available in the offseason.

Outside interest in Crosby isn't new, and the Raiders have had to rebuff inquiries as recently as this year's trade deadline.

"While other teams are interested, the Raiders aren't interested in moving their best player, and Crosby wants to stay in Las Vegas," NFL Media's Tom Pelissero posted on X on October 21.

Even if he isn't happy with the way this season has ended, Crosby isn't likely to try forcing his way out of Las Vegas either. Yet, the Raiders need to at least be open to the idea of trading their top defender this offseason, for a few reasons.

It begins with where Las Vegas stands. The Raiders tried to patch together their roster with some veterans and compete with a seasoned head coach. It didn't work, and now Carroll's future is very much uncertain. Franchise owner Mark Davis and GM John Spytek have to recognize that a full-blown rebuild is in order.

Trading Crosby now could help jump-start that rebuild.

According to an NFL executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity Friday, Crosby would fetch at least two first-round picks," Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote. "After signing a contract extension this year, the executive said Crosby's contract is 'easily tradeable.'"

While Crosby is signed through 2029, his contract will have just $35.1 million in dead money remaining after this season. Las Vegas would save $30.8 million by trading him this offseason, in addition to getting a substantial picks package.

That's valuable capital that could be used to help support the Raiders' next QB of the future. While getting the chance to draft a quarterback at No. 1 is a good start for the Raiders, it's clear that this roster isn't just one piece away from being good.

And while Crosby is a tremendous leader, a face of the franchise, and a disruptive playmaker who will be incredibly difficult to replace, it's fair to wonder how his timeline and the Raiders' can sync.

Crosby will be 29 at the start of next season and has fought through injuries in each of the last two. He's still one of the league's better edge-defenders, but he may no longer be in his prime by the time the Raiders are ready to contend again.

None of this means that Las Vegas should be looking to deal its best player for proverbial pennies. Now that it's time to start over again, though, the Raiders have to at least listen to offers that could potentially set them up for long-term success.