We are at the point in the NFL season where fans and media debate the merits of tanking. You won’t hear that word in any NFL locker room, as coaches and players are playing every week to win. The NFL is a win-now league, and coaches always feel the heat when they lose, especially when they lose a lot.

Earlier this week, Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby spoke for all players when he weighed in on the idea that losing could help his team land a higher draft pick in the following NFL draft.

“Yeah, I don’t give a sh-t about the pick, to be honest,” Crosby said. “I don’t play for that. That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world.”

The Raiders play the New York Giants this week in a game that will likely determine the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The Giants currently hold the No. 1 pick, but the Raiders have the same record.

This debate has also followed the Washington Commanders, who are currently 4-12 and in the No. 7 position, but could climb higher this weekend. Longtime Washington safety Jeremy Reaves saw Crosby’s comment and endorsed it.

All players feel this way. They work too hard, spend so much time preparing and taking care of their bodies, to worry about a draft pick. Most players realize they may not even be around the following season.

In an update to Crosby’s status, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported on Friday that the Raiders informed Crosby they planned to sit him for the final two weeks. That didn’t sit well with Crosby, who left the team’s facility.

Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games. Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 26, 2025

There has been talk of trading Crosby in the past. Not because he isn’t a great player, but the Raiders aren’t close to contending, and he could fetch multiple premium picks. This news could certainly lead to Crosby being elsewhere next season and the Raiders landing even more picks in April’s NFL draft.

As for Reaves and the Commanders, they face the Philadelphia Eagles next week to wrap up the 2025 regular season.