Conflicting Maxx Crosby, Raiders Rumors on Relationship amid NFL Trade Buzz After Injury Controversy

There are conflicting reports about the rift between Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders that developed at the end of the regular season when the team opted to place him on injured reserve for their final two games.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that "Sources say Crosby and the team are in a great place, even with Crosby obviously frustrated with not being able to finish the season on the field after he was shut down for the final two games of the 2025 season."

Rapoport added that "Crosby did interviews during Super Bowl LX week from the team facility, grinding on rehab like he does everything else. One of the game's best with five-consecutive Pro Bowl nods and 69.5 career sacks, Crosby would generate significant draft capital if he were traded."

Rapoport's reporting comes after The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that the feeling among coaches and executives around the NFL is that Crosby "would be highly interested in pursuing a change of scenery" in the offseason.

Russini noted there is a "strong sense" within the league that the Raiders would be willing to trade the five-time Pro Bowler at a "high" cost to an acquiring team.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Crosby hasn't formally requested a trade at this point, but his "priority" is to play for a contending team and it's possible "up to" 20 clubs could get involved in trade discussions if he becomes available:

"In fact, I believe more than a dozen teams, possibly up to 20, will at least inquire with levels of serious intent. And there are some natural would-be contenders, including the Bills, Lions, 49ers, Cowboys and Ravens. One team that typically doesn't jump in these high-stakes waters but would be perfect to try: the Buccaneers. This is the type of move that would put Tampa Bay over the top."

On Sunday, Rapoport reported that "Sources clarified that Crosby actually underwent a minor meniscus repair -- not a trim -- on Jan. 7, meaning his recovery will be measured in months, not weeks. A meniscus trim is often 4-6 weeks of recovery while a repair can be 3-4 months. Crosby's should be shorter."

Rapoport noted that "While Crosby is ahead of schedule and the repair was considered to be a best-case scenario situation, it likely means he won't be medically cleared before free agency officially begins on March 11 at the start of the new league year."

The Raiders put Crosby on season-ending IR on Dec. 27 due to a knee injury. It did not appear to be a mutual decision, as Rapoport reported at the time that the club informed Crosby he wouldn't be playing in Week 17 even though he had been pushing to finish out the season.

Per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Crosby was "not happy" with the move and he had been playing through an injured knee since Week 3.

Appearing on Yahoo Sports' Daily on Wednesday, Glazer said he thinks Crosby has played his last game for the Raiders, but it might "more" than what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons to get the 28-year-old out of Vegas.

Crosby responded to the trade rumors on The Herd with Colin Cowherd by not specifically addressing them, rather letting his "actions" speak for him.

The Parsons trade cost the Green Bay Packers a package of Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks, plus they gave him a four-year, $188 million extension.

Parsons was 26 at the time of the trade, while Crosby will turn 29 on Aug. 22. Any team looking to acquire Crosby presumably won't have to extend him since he is under contract through 2029 after signing a three-year, $106.5 million deal last offseason.

Crosby is a potential difference-making pass-rusher for any team in need of help off the edge. Since entering the NFL in 2019, he ranks first in tackles for loss (133) and sixth in sacks (69.5).

The Raiders could also set up their future roster foundation with a potential Crosby trade. They already own the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft and could presumably add at least two more premium picks to their cache if they were to move him.