When the Las Vegas Raiders made the call to shut down Maxx Crosby for the final two games of the season, it raised eyebrows - not least of all from Crosby himself. The All-Pro edge rusher, known for his relentless motor and warrior mentality, wasn’t thrilled about being placed on injured reserve ahead of the Raiders’ Week 17 matchup against the Giants. But in hindsight, the move might’ve been exactly what both Crosby and the franchise needed.
Let’s be clear: Crosby isn’t wired to sit out, especially not when there’s football to be played. That’s part of what’s made him the emotional heartbeat of the Raiders’ defense - a guy who plays through pain, leads by example, and never takes a snap off.
So, it wasn’t surprising that he pushed back on the decision initially. But as it turns out, he’d been gutting through a torn meniscus for much of the season.
That’s not something you just tape up and power through without consequences.
The Raiders’ front office made a calculated decision - one that helped preserve the long-term health of their defensive cornerstone and, as a byproduct, landed them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That sets the table for a potential franchise-altering selection, with names like Fernando Mendoza floating around draft boards.
Crosby underwent surgery just days after the season wrapped, confirming what many suspected: the injury was real, and the rest-and-recovery route was the right play. Speaking recently on the Let’s Go! podcast with Jim Gray, Crosby gave fans a glimpse into his recovery timeline - and his mindset heading into Year 8.
“I tore my meniscus. I knew that a long time ago,” Crosby said.
“(Dr. Neal ElAttrache) fixed it.
It’s going to be a good recovery… Should be back middle to end of OTA’s. It’s kind of similar to how it’s been the last few offseasons.
Neal is incredible. He’s done a lot of surgeries on me already.
Expecting 100% recovery.”
That’s the kind of update Raiders fans were hoping to hear. Crosby sounds confident, focused, and - in typical fashion - already looking ahead to what he promises will be the best season of his career.
While his name has surfaced in trade rumors, there’s still a strong belief among fans that Crosby remains a foundational piece for the franchise. He’s not just a Pro Bowl talent; he’s the face of the Raiders’ defense, and arguably, the soul of the locker room. Letting him walk would be a seismic shift - one the Raiders don’t seem eager to make.
The bigger picture here is what 2026 represents for Las Vegas. With a new head coach coming in and John Spytek taking the reins as general manager, the Raiders are poised for a full-scale reset.
They’ve got draft capital. They’ve got cap space.
And now, they’ve got their defensive leader on track to return at full strength. That’s a solid foundation to build on.
Had Crosby played through the final two games - games that carried no postseason implications - the risk of aggravating the injury or doing further damage loomed large. That kind of setback could’ve bled into next season and derailed a critical year for a franchise trying to turn the corner.
Instead, the Raiders played it smart. They protected their star, preserved his future, and put themselves in a position to reshape the roster from the top of the draft board.
And Crosby? He’s still the same relentless competitor - just a little healthier, a little wiser, and ready to lead again in 2026.