The Maxx Crosby trade chatter just won’t die down - and for Raiders fans, it’s already feeling like a broken record. But when a respected voice with ties to the Bay Area like Tim Kawakami throws fuel on the fire, it’s going to get attention.
Kawakami floated the idea that Crosby could be a target for the 49ers, calling him “gettable” and suggesting San Francisco has had eyes on him for a while. From a football standpoint, the vision is easy to see: Crosby opposite Nick Bosa would be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
But let’s pump the brakes for a second - this isn’t Madden. There’s a lot more at play here than just plugging in a star pass rusher and calling it a day.
Why the Raiders trading Crosby doesn’t add up - at least not right now
Start with the Raiders’ current situation. They’re on the verge of naming a new head coach and will likely be adding a new quarterback. That’s a foundational moment for any franchise - and it’s not the time to ship out your most consistent, high-impact player.
Maxx Crosby isn’t just another guy on the stat sheet. He’s the tone-setter.
He’s the guy who commands double teams, forces offenses to adjust protections, and gives a young or developing offense a chance to win games by keeping scores manageable. You don’t just replace that kind of production and presence with a couple of draft picks.
Elite edge rushers don’t grow on trees, and even when you use a high pick to get one, there’s no guarantee they’ll pan out to Crosby’s level.
There’s also been talk about potential tension - maybe Crosby’s frustrated, maybe there’s friction. But that kind of noise is par for the course after a losing season and a coaching change.
A new staff brings a new culture and a new plan. If they’re smart, that plan should include Crosby front and center, not working around his absence.
For the 49ers, the fit is tempting - but the cost is steep
Now, flip it to San Francisco. On paper, the idea of pairing Crosby with Bosa is terrifying - for everyone else.
It’s the kind of edge duo that could wreck games weekly. But this isn’t just about football fit.
It’s about the price tag - and not just the draft picks.
The Niners already have a roster packed with high-end contracts. Adding another premium edge rusher means big money, and that has ripple effects. You can’t pay everyone, and when you start funneling more cash into one position group, you’re taking away from others - like offensive line depth, secondary versatility, or the kind of cost-controlled young talent that keeps a contender afloat over the grind of a 17-game season.
San Francisco has built its success on stars, yes, but also on smart roster construction. A blockbuster deal for Crosby would mean sacrificing some of that balance. And in a league where injuries are inevitable, depth isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity.
And then there’s the politics
Let’s not forget the behind-the-scenes dynamics. Raiders owner Mark Davis has history here - he famously refused to send Khalil Mack to the 49ers when that situation unfolded.
Even if Las Vegas were to entertain trading Crosby, there’s no reason to believe they’d hand-deliver him to a regional rival. They’d shop him around the league and look for the cleanest, most lucrative deal possible.
Bottom line: Crosby is the foundation
If this offseason is about building a new identity in Las Vegas - with a new coach, a new quarterback, and a new direction - then the smart move is to keep the cornerstone and build around him. Maxx Crosby isn’t just a great player. He’s the kind of leader and tone-setter you want in the building when you’re trying to reset a franchise.
Trading him might bring in picks. But it would also create a massive void - on the field, in the locker room, and in the identity of a defense that’s quietly been the Raiders’ most reliable side of the ball. Unless the Raiders are planning to blow it all up and start from scratch, it’s hard to see how moving Crosby fits into a serious plan for long-term success.