In a surprising twist, Maxx Crosby has returned to the Las Vegas Raiders after the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a trade due to concerns over a failed physical. Crosby seems content to be back in Las Vegas, but the situation may not be settled just yet.
Albert Breer, a well-respected insider from Sports Illustrated, shared his thoughts on "The MMQB NFL Podcast" with Conor Orr. Breer suggests that the Raiders might still consider moving Crosby this season if he can demonstrate strong performance and dispel any injury concerns:
“If he’s going to be traded, I think it’s going to have to come after Maxx Crosby gets back on the field and plays really well, so people will forget about everything that just happened,” Breer said. “That way, it becomes a little easier when it comes to managing your owners and your fan base. It also makes it easier to go out and trade for him again.”
The Raiders aren't under any obligation to trade Crosby. He hasn’t asked for a trade, and the team might not be inclined to let him go at a discount after the failed physical.
Breer also points out that even if Crosby isn’t in the Raiders' long-term plans, his presence could be valuable for establishing a strong team culture as they transition into the Klint Kubiak era:
“That’s not a bad place for the Raiders to be, either. When you look at where they are, it’s like, ‘OK, Maxx is going to help build a culture,’ and they’ll move forward as if he’s part of the team,” he added.
There’s no doubt multiple teams would be interested in acquiring Crosby if he becomes available again. However, the notion of giving up two first-round picks after the trade hiccup might be off the table. If Crosby doesn’t perform well or if teams aren’t willing to meet the Raiders’ asking price, he might remain in Las Vegas after all.