The Las Vegas Raiders are staring down a pivotal offseason, one that could reshape the franchise for years to come. With Klint Kubiak stepping in as head coach and the team expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, the Silver and Black are signaling a full-scale reboot. But even as the future takes shape, one of the team’s most iconic players might not be part of it.
Maxx Crosby, the heart and soul of the Raiders' defense, is at the center of serious trade buzz - and it’s not just smoke. According to multiple league insiders, there's a growing sense that Crosby is open to a fresh start, with Tampa Bay emerging as a potential landing spot. The Bucs, coming off a strong season and looking to bolster their pass rush, are seen as an ideal fit.
The tension between Crosby and the Raiders reportedly began to build late in the season, especially after he was sidelined for the final two games. While he's still under contract, the whispers around the league suggest that Las Vegas might be willing to listen - if the price is right.
And make no mistake, the price would be steep. Think along the lines of what Dallas would demand for Micah Parsons: a massive haul of picks or premium talent.
Crosby’s mindset this offseason is clear. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, his priority is joining a team with a legitimate shot at contending.
He's been a loyal soldier for the Raiders, both to owner Mark Davis and the city of Las Vegas. But loyalty has its limits, especially when the team is still several steps away from being a true playoff threat.
The trade market? It’s heating up fast.
More than a dozen teams are expected to check in, with contenders like the Lions, Cowboys, and 49ers all keeping tabs. But Tampa Bay is generating the most buzz.
Plug Crosby into a defense that already features a strong core, and suddenly the Bucs look like a team that could go toe-to-toe with anyone in the NFC.
There’s one wrinkle that could slow things down: Crosby’s health. He underwent a meniscus repair in early January - not just a trim, but a full repair.
That comes with a longer recovery timeline, and it’s unlikely he’ll be fully cleared before free agency opens on March 11. That doesn’t mean a trade can’t happen, but it does make a pre-free agency blockbuster less likely.
The more realistic window? Closer to the NFL Draft, when his medical status is clearer and teams are more aggressive in reshaping their rosters.
For the Raiders, this is a high-stakes decision. Trading Crosby would be a seismic move - both on the field and in the locker room.
But it could also bring back the kind of draft capital that accelerates their rebuild under Kubiak. If they believe Mendoza is the future at quarterback, surrounding him with the right pieces becomes priority number one.
And that might mean saying goodbye to one of their most beloved stars.
One thing is certain: Maxx Crosby’s name is going to dominate the offseason headlines. Whether he stays in Vegas or finds a new home in Tampa - or elsewhere - his next move could shift the balance of power across the league.