Will Maxx Crosby Be Traded? Raiders GM Gives Update on Star's Status amid NFL Rumors

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek fully expects star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby to remain on the team by the start of the 2026 NFL season.

"Maxx is an elite player," Spytek told reporters Tuesday. "… He's in the building everyday and we have a great relationship."

The GM added that the Raiders are "in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them."

Spytek's remarks will probably do little to quell the speculation surrounding the five-time Pro Bowler.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on Feb. 14 that Crosby hasn't made a clear trade request, but he cited a source who said "Crosby's chances of returning are pretty small at this point just because of where the Raiders are."

Fowler also speculated the market for the 28-year-old could be as big as 16 to 20 teams around the league.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday this could be an important week to sort out Crosby's future. Every general manager is in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, so Spytek can have direct conversation with any interested suitors.

In terms of public posturing, the Raiders have little choice but to project a relative position of strength. Spytek would be forfeiting a lot of leverage if he came out and said the team is resigned to trading away one of its best players.

The fact is, Las Vegas is in the midst of another reset and will in all likelihood extend its playoff drought to five seasons. Crosby may not want to spend what's left of his peak playing years on a losing team, and flipping him for draft picks would help to accelerate the franchise's rebuild.

A trade isn't inevitable but makes enough sense to both parties to appear a strong possibility.