Could Maxx Crosby Be on the Move? Raiders Face Tough Questions About Their Defensive Star
There’s growing buzz in league circles that Maxx Crosby’s time in silver and black could be nearing its end - and this time, it feels more real than ever.
The idea of the Raiders trading their star edge rusher isn’t just a hypothetical anymore. Both sides - Crosby and the organization - appear more open to the possibility than they were a year ago.
And from the team’s perspective, the clock is ticking. If they’re going to get top-tier compensation for one of the NFL’s most disruptive defenders, the window may be closing fast.
Crosby turns 29 in August, and durability has become a concern. He hasn’t had a fully healthy season since 2023, and while he’s still producing at a high level, the wear and tear is starting to show.
That matters, especially if the Raiders are leaning into a full rebuild. It’s fair to ask: does Crosby want to spend the back half of his prime anchoring a team that's more focused on the future than the present?
A year ago, Pete Carroll played a key role in convincing Crosby to stay the course with the Raiders. Now, it’s Klint Kubiak’s turn to try to do the same - and there’s no guarantee he’ll have the same success.
Crosby himself recently said he hasn’t spoken with the team in “a couple weeks.” That might not be a red flag on its own, but when your franchise cornerstone is using phrases like “in a while” to describe communication with leadership, it raises eyebrows. Especially after a season that ended with more questions than answers.
Let’s not forget the last time the Raiders traded away a player of Crosby’s caliber. It was Khalil Mack, and that move still haunts the franchise. Jon Gruden, who made that call during his second stint in Vegas, weighed in on Crosby’s situation last week - and he didn’t hold back.
“If you’re anybody, you make a big play for Maxx,” Gruden said, referencing the Buccaneers and their reported interest in the All-Pro pass rusher. “If you’re the Raiders, you’re one of the dumbest franchises in America if you let him out of there.
He’s under contract, and he’s the best player on the team. I think he’s arguably the most impactful edge rusher in football.”
Gruden’s comments weren’t just about Crosby’s production - they were about his presence. “That’s a winning edge that a great defense has.
It’s a fourth-quarter pass rush,” he said. “When we got Simeon Rice, things changed for us.”
That kind of game-changing ability is rare, and it’s what makes Crosby such a valuable asset - both on the field and in trade talks.
If the Raiders do decide to listen to offers, there won’t be a shortage of suitors. The Buccaneers are already rumored to be interested, but they’d have competition. The Lions, 49ers, Vikings, Rams, Bills, Bears - really, any team with playoff aspirations in 2026 - would be hard-pressed not to at least make a call.
Crosby isn’t just another elite edge rusher. He’s the heart of the Raiders’ defense, a relentless motor with leadership chops and a chip on his shoulder. But if Las Vegas is serious about rebuilding, they’ll have to decide whether keeping Crosby is part of that plan - or if moving him is the bold (and risky) step toward a new era.
Either way, this storyline isn’t going away anytime soon.