Maxx Crosby and Trade Speculation
It’s surprising, but it’s true—players can be traded under strange circumstances.
Last season, Maxx Crosby became frustrated with the Raiders’ facilities after he felt sidelined, particularly following the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. This dissatisfaction led to conversations about the possibility of him being traded.
According to Mike Florio from NBC Sports, the Raiders are looking for a trade offer similar to what the Cowboys used to acquire Micah Parsons last year. Specifically, they want two first-round picks and a player for Crosby.
That kind of trade would be costly. After all, Crosby is set to turn 29 in August, whereas Parsons was, notably, entering his 26-year-old season when he was traded.
Last year, there were multiple reports claiming that Crosby would not return to the Raiders. He reportedly stated he’d rather retire than play for them again, or so an anonymous general manager mentioned to Jason La Canfora. But then again, who knows if a trade will actually happen? Myles Garrett of the Browns said something similar last year, but we all know how that unfolded.
Crosby is recognized as one of the top pass rushers in the league and has been a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year opportunities, finishing fourth in the 2023 voting. From 2021 to 2024, he consistently ranked among the top four EDGE rushers, as noted by Pro Football Focus.
Despite a challenging postseason, reports from the NFL combine indicate he might be calming down, and the Raiders seem to expect him to play for them in 2026.
“Yes,” responded Raiders general manager John Spytek when asked if Crosby would remain with the team. According to Ryan Dunleavy from the newspaper, Crosby confirmed, “Yes,” when asked if he expected to still be with the Raiders in 2026.
“Max is an elite player,” Spytek emphasized. “I’ve been clear since I arrived that we need more quality players on our roster.”
The Raiders, having recently fired head coach Pete Carroll, have now hired Seahawks offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak in hopes of revamping one of the weakest rosters in the NFL. They’re expected to take Fernando Mendoza with their first pick in the draft.
