The Las Vegas Raiders are staring down a critical offseason, and after a 3-14 campaign that tied for the league’s worst record, there’s no sugarcoating it - things need to change. Fast.
The team already made a pair of major moves by bringing in John Spytek as general manager and Pete Carroll as head coach last offseason, hoping to inject new life into the franchise. But one year later, Carroll is out, Spytek remains, and the Raiders are once again in rebuild mode.
Now, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and over $110 million in cap space, Spytek has the tools to reshape this roster from the ground up. But before any draft picks are made or free agents signed, there’s one priority that should sit firmly at the top of his offseason to-do list: keeping Maxx Crosby in Silver and Black.
Maxx Crosby: The Foundation Las Vegas Can’t Afford to Lose
Crosby isn’t just the best player on the Raiders - he’s the identity of the defense, the emotional engine of the locker room, and one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL. Since entering the league, Crosby has racked up 69.5 sacks and 133 tackles for loss.
That’s sixth and first in the league, respectively, over that span. And he’s done it with little help around him.
In fact, in seven seasons, Crosby has shared a defense with just one Pro Bowler - Denzel Perryman in 2021 - and not a single All-Pro. That’s staggering.
Year after year, he’s been double-teamed, chipped, and schemed against, and yet he still produces at an elite level. That kind of consistency, especially in a defense that hasn’t offered much support, is rare.
And it’s exactly why Spytek needs to make Crosby’s future in Vegas a cornerstone of the rebuild.
Building a Defense Worthy of a Star
The Raiders’ defense is in dire need of a revamp. Outside of Crosby, Jeremy Chinn, and potentially Eric Stokes - if the team brings him back before free agency - there aren’t many players you can pencil in as locked-in starters. The rest of the depth chart is filled with question marks and players who’ll need to earn their roles in camp.
Darien Porter, a promising rookie, showed flashes but isn’t a guaranteed starter yet. Adam Butler, after two strong seasons, took a noticeable step back in 2025. Both will likely be part of the rotation, but neither should be considered foundational pieces just yet.
That leaves the door wide open for Spytek to get aggressive in reshaping the unit. With ample cap space and a full slate of draft picks - including ten total selections - the Raiders have the flexibility to make serious upgrades across all three levels of the defense: the line, linebacker corps, and secondary.
And here’s the key: it’s not just about improving the defense - it’s about showing Maxx Crosby that the team is serious about competing. He’s given everything to the franchise. Now it’s time for the franchise to give something back.
The Message Behind the Moves
There’s been chatter that Crosby could request a trade this offseason. And honestly, who could blame him?
He’s been a one-man wrecking crew for years, but the team around him hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. If Spytek wants to avoid that nightmare scenario, he needs to act with urgency.
That starts with hiring the right head coach - someone who can connect with players, build a culture, and bring a modern defensive philosophy to the table. Then comes the roster construction.
Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or both, the Raiders need to surround Crosby with legitimate talent. Not just depth pieces - impact players.
Guys who can win one-on-one matchups, create turnovers, and take some of the heat off No. 98.
Because if Crosby finally gets a supporting cast, the ripple effect could be massive. Less double-teaming.
More one-on-one matchups. More freedom to move him around the formation and unleash him creatively.
And most importantly, a better chance for the Raiders to field a defense that can actually keep them in games.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
This offseason isn’t just about fixing a 3-14 team. It’s about setting the tone for the next era of Raiders football.
Spytek has the draft capital. He has the cap space.
And he has a generational defensive talent in Maxx Crosby - a player who’s stuck with the franchise through thick and thin, and who deserves to be part of something bigger.
If the Raiders can finally give Crosby the help he’s earned, not only will it boost their defense - it might just keep the heart and soul of the team right where he belongs.