The Las Vegas Raiders did not have the services of Maxx Crosby for the final two games of the 2024 season. The star defensive end was sidelined by organizational decree – a decision that reportedly frustrated the veteran defender, who had played through various injuries for much of the year.
Jessica Cryderman – The Sporting Tribune
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end, Maxx Crosby (98) getting excited before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on November 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.
Crosby addressed the mounting trade rumors on the Let’s Go! podcast on Wednesday, telling host Jim Gray that he refused to “throw gasoline on the fire” regarding the speculation.
“I can’t control that,” Crosby said during the interview. “If I wasn’t doing the right things and if I wasn’t the person and player I was, people wouldn’t be talking about all the nonsense”.
The Raiders’ quest to return to contention remains complicated by Crosby’s current physical status. On Thursday, Ian Rapoport reported on NFL Network that Crosby underwent a meniscus repair. While the procedure was described as relatively minor, the recovery is measured in months, not weeks. The fact that he is currently rehabbing bodes poorly for an immediate trade, as it is difficult to imagine a team moving for Crosby until he is healthy enough to pass a physical, a timeline that likely moves a resolution closer to the NFL Draft.
Trading Maxx Crosby could yield significant draft capital to accelerate a total rebuild
According to reports, the Raiders organization has worked to repair its relationship with the defensive centerpiece following frustration over his late-season benching and constant coaching turnover. Crosby has worked under seven different head coaches during his tenure in Las Vegas, a lack of stability that has led to concerns about his long-term future with the franchise. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported that for a competitor in his physical prime, the constant roster turnover is reaching a breaking point.
“Max, at some point, it’s like not only do I not recognize the guys around me, I don’t recognize the guys that came before the guys around me, that’s how many times this thing has turned over, he knows he’s got a limited amount,” said Pelissero.
However, Crosby maintains a strong relationship with Raiders owner Mark Davis, which may offer a potential bridge to keep the star in Las Vegas through the 2026 season. The front office must now determine if the team can compete for the playoffs within a two-year window. If they choose to accelerate a total rebuild, trading Crosby could yield significant draft capital. Pelissero added that Crosby could still command “if not two first-round picks, certainly a first-round pick and more” from teams salivating for an elite edge rusher.
“The best way to hasten that rebuild is to trade Max Crosby, who at this point can still command, if not two first-round picks, certainly a first-round pick and more. There are many teams that would be salivating over getting Max Crosby,” said Pelissero.
General manager John Spytek and Crosby’s representatives are scheduled to meet at the NFL Combine in late February. A resolution is expected before the free agency period begins on March 11. As the Raiders navigate this pivotal crossroads, they currently hold a high draft pick and could potentially target a quarterback like Fernando Mendoza to lead their rebuilding roster.