The stage has already been set for a dramatic offseason for several teams and star players across the NFL. In Las Vegas, it’s been reported that All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby has informed the Raiders that he’s no longer interested in playing for the team.
This is a situation that has taken some twists and turns over the last few months, but reports indicate that his desire to be traded stems from the front office’s decision to shut him down in the final weeks of the 2025 season, as well as the simple fact that he wants to legitimately compete, instead of working through another rebuild.
Expect the rumor mill to continue to churn this offseason, especially as we approach the NFL Draft.
Whether the Raiders actually have any plans to move Crosby remains to be seen, but with speculation persisting, let’s take a look at one potential suitor.
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Maxx Crosby to the Los Angeles Chargers: NFL Trade Idea
One landing spot that hasn’t been brought up too often throughout this process is the Los Angeles Chargers. After all, intra-division trades seldom take place in the NFL.
However, Seth Walder of ESPN believes it’s possible. He’s proposed a deal that would send Crosby to the Chargers, with a 2026 second-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-round pick heading to the Raiders.
“The Chargers, with Chris O’Leary replacing Jesse Minter at defensive coordinator, could use help at edge rusher. Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are pending free agents, so the Chargers could use their bounty of cap space to trade for and absorb Crosby’s contract. The fact that Crosby’s deal is salary heavy (meaning the Chargers take on the money) and that he will turn 29 before next season, is why I’m not offering a first-round pick here,” wrote Walder.
Is This Maxx Crosby Trade Realistic?
Walder’s justification for his exclusion of a first-round is understandable. However, just because something can be rationalized, it doesn’t mean that it’s realistic.
Frankly, I just don’t see a world in which the Raiders part ways with Crosby at this price point.
Beyond my thoughts on the matter, reporting from league insiders points to a first-rounder being a must in any Crosby trade.
Just ahead of the Super Bowl, Jay Glazer shared that he believed the return for Crosby would net the Raiders something similar to what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons.
For reference, that trade sent Kenny Clark and a pair of first-rounders to Dallas.
Maxx Crosby’s time with the Raiders is most likely DONE, per @JayGlazer 👀
What kind of haul would the five-time Pro Bowler get in the trade market? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FK1EkdKXRd
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 4, 2026
Theoretically, Crosby could make a big enough stink that the Raiders are forced to sell low, but even then, there would almost certainly be a team willing to fork over a day one pick for his services.
Again, Walder adequately justifies his thought process, but it’s just hard to see a trade being made at this value.
Maxx Crosby Stats
Crosby was sidelined for a few games in 2025, but he still did enough to be named to his fifth Pro Bowl.
2025 Stats:
15 games
10.0 sacks
73 total tackles
28 tackles for loss
2 forced fumbles
1 interception
Maxx Crosby Contract
Last offseason, Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders. The deal includes $90.5 million in guaranteed money and runs through the 2029 season.
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