Maxx Crosby Trade Rumors Swirl Again, but Raiders Stand Firm
Maxx Crosby’s name just won’t leave the trade rumor mill - and for good reason. When you’re one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the league, teams are going to come calling. And even though Crosby has made it clear he wants to be a Raider, that hasn’t stopped other franchises from trying to pry him away from Las Vegas.
The Dallas Cowboys reportedly tested the waters earlier, but nothing came of it. Now, even deep into the 2025 playoffs, the interest hasn’t cooled.
The Chicago Bears were floated as a potential destination ahead of their divisional round matchup with the Rams. And the Seattle Seahawks?
They were in the mix too, and their pursuit was anything but casual.
Let’s rewind to what happened behind the scenes.
According to reports, Seattle had serious interest in Crosby before the 2025 season kicked off. They weren’t just kicking the tires - they were ready to make a splash. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported that the Seahawks tried to open trade talks with Las Vegas by dangling two major names: quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Here’s how it unfolded: Las Vegas initially made a run at Matthew Stafford. The Rams had given Stafford the green light to explore other opportunities, and the Raiders were ready to pounce. But once Stafford decided to stay in L.A. on a reworked deal, the Raiders pivoted.
That’s when they turned their attention to Geno Smith. At the NFL Combine, Seahawks GM John Schneider reportedly floated the idea of a blockbuster deal - Smith and Metcalf to the Raiders in exchange for Crosby. It was an ambitious proposal, one that would’ve shaken up the landscape on both sides of the ball.
But the Raiders weren’t interested. They shut down the idea and instead doubled down on their star pass rusher, extending Crosby after the Combine. It was a clear message: he's not going anywhere.
Still, the tension between Crosby and the organization hasn’t gone unnoticed. Late in the 2025 season, the Raiders opted to shut Crosby down before Week 17. He wasn’t thrilled with that decision, and it sparked speculation that the relationship might be fraying - opening the door, perhaps, for renewed trade interest.
Seattle’s quarterback situation changed dramatically after that. With Smith eventually landing in Las Vegas - reuniting with his former coach Pete Carroll - the Seahawks turned to Sam Darnold, signing him to a $100.5 million contract.
As for Metcalf, he didn’t stay in Seattle either. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, signaling a full-on reshuffle for the Seahawks’ offense.
So where does that leave Crosby?
Right where he’s been: in silver and black, anchoring the Raiders’ defense. Despite all the noise, Las Vegas has made it clear they’re not letting go of one of the league’s premier edge rushers - not for a quarterback, not for a star wideout, not for anything.
But with teams like the Bears and Seahawks still lurking, don’t expect the rumors to die down anytime soon. When you’re as dominant as Crosby, the league never stops watching.