Maxx Crosby has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind or playing through pain. But as the Raiders head into another pivotal offseason, the future of their star edge rusher is starting to feel a little murky.
After a season that ended on a strange note-Las Vegas shutting Crosby down despite his desire to keep playing-there’s now a growing sense around the league that the Raiders might be more open to trade talks involving their defensive cornerstone than they were a year ago. That’s a significant shift from just a couple of months ago, when both Crosby and owner Mark Davis reportedly put a firm stop to any trade discussions ahead of the November deadline.
Now, with the offseason officially underway, the question isn’t just whether Crosby will stay in silver and black-it’s whether both sides still see a shared path forward.
Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowler who turns 29 this summer, is still under contract through 2029. So technically, nothing can happen unless the Raiders decide to make a move.
But the tension is real, and the league is watching. If the relationship between Crosby and the organization doesn’t improve, there’s a belief that Las Vegas could entertain offers-giving Crosby a chance to join a team that’s built to win now, rather than waiting through another rebuild.
And make no mistake, this does feel like a rebuild. That’s part of the issue.
Crosby has made it clear in the past: he’s not chasing a paycheck-he’s chasing championships. Last offseason, he recommitted to the Raiders under the impression that the team was ready to compete.
But the results on the field told a different story. Now, with the organization again searching for a new head coach, the direction of the franchise is once again in flux.
In the past, Crosby’s voice carried weight in the building. He was plugged into the team’s plans and had a seat at the table.
But this time around? Not so much.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Crosby was asked if he’d been kept in the loop during the coaching search.
“Not really. No,” he said.
“I haven’t talked to them. Not in the last couple weeks.
I’ve just been focused on, like I said, my family, my girls, and getting healthy. But yeah, I haven’t talked to them in a while.”
That’s a notable shift for a player who has been one of the most vocal and passionate leaders in the locker room. For Crosby to be on the outside looking in during a critical moment for the franchise-while also recovering from a season that took a physical toll-raises questions about where things stand.
And while Crosby hasn’t publicly said anything about wanting out, the tone feels different than it did a year ago. The door that was firmly closed last offseason now seems at least slightly ajar.
Insider reports have echoed that sentiment. In recent weeks, there’s been growing chatter that Crosby may not be a lock to return in 2026. One well-connected voice close to the team suggested that it’s no longer a “100 percent slam dunk” Crosby stays in Vegas, despite his deep ties to Raider Nation.
Crosby’s love for the organization and its fans has never been in question. He’s been the heart and soul of the defense, a relentless motor who embodies everything the Raiders say they want to be. But he’s also a competitor-and if the franchise continues down a rebuilding path, it’s fair to wonder how long that loyalty can hold if the wins don’t come.
For now, everything hinges on what happens next. The Raiders need a new head coach, a clear vision, and perhaps most importantly, a plan that convinces players like Crosby that they’re serious about contending. Until then, the uncertainty lingers.
Maxx Crosby has always played with fire. The question now is whether that fire will still burn in Las Vegas-or if it’s destined to ignite somewhere else.