Maxx Crosby’s future in silver and black is suddenly looking a lot less certain - and that’s not just offseason noise.
Back in December, word surfaced that Crosby wasn’t thrilled about being shut down early due to a lingering knee issue. Now, according to NFL insider Jay Glazer, the star edge rusher may be ready to turn the page on his time with the Raiders altogether.
“I’m not going through another rebuild.”
That’s the quote Glazer shared on Yahoo Sports Daily, revealing that Crosby - not the team - was the one pushing to sit out the final stretch of the 2025 season. When asked if he believed Crosby had played his last meaningful snap for the Raiders, Glazer didn’t hesitate: “I do.”
Let’s be clear - this isn’t a cap casualty or a team looking to move on. Crosby is under contract through 2028 after signing a three-year, $106.5 million extension just last offseason.
That’s not the kind of deal you hand out unless you believe a guy is a foundational piece. But Crosby, one of the most relentless and productive pass-rushers in the league, seems to be drawing his own line in the sand: he’s not interested in sticking around for another rebuild.
And if the Raiders do entertain trade offers? They’re not going to let him go for cheap.
According to Glazer, Las Vegas would likely want more than what the Cowboys got from the Packers in the blockbuster Micah Parsons deal - a trade that sent two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas. Parsons then signed a four-year, $188 million deal with Green Bay, including $136 million guaranteed. That’s the kind of haul we’re talking about if Crosby is truly on the move.
Enter the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have been loosely linked to Crosby for weeks now, even before they punched their ticket to Super Bowl LX. And while nothing is imminent, there’s some smoke here.
NFL insider Dianna Russini added fuel to the fire during an appearance on Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub, saying Crosby has specifically expressed interest in playing for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
“Maxx Crosby doesn’t seem too happy in Las Vegas,” Russini said. “I can tell you, I know he wants to play for Mike Vrabel. He’s told me before.”
That’s a big statement - and one that could carry weight in the offseason shuffle.
Vrabel, who took over in New England after parting ways with the Titans, has quickly re-energized the Patriots’ culture. Even if they come up short against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, the vibe around Foxborough has changed. Players are taking notice, and Russini pointed out that the Patriots are once again becoming a destination.
“For a long time, guys didn’t want to go to New England,” she said. “Cold weather, strict culture, not a lot of fun.
But now? Social media is showing players something different - a team that loves each other, that plays for each other.
It looks like a family.”
That kind of environment, combined with Vrabel’s leadership and a defense-first identity, could be exactly what a player like Crosby is looking for.
Of course, wanting a trade and actually making one happen are two very different things. The Raiders hold the cards contractually, and unless someone meets their asking price - which, again, could exceed two first-round picks and a proven player - they’re under no obligation to move him.
But make no mistake: Crosby’s message is loud and clear. He’s not here for another rebuild. He wants to compete, and he wants to do it now.
Whether that’s in Las Vegas or somewhere else - perhaps in Foxborough under Vrabel’s watch - could end up being one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 NFL offseason.