Some fans of the Las Vegas Raiders appear to be looking at the Maxx Crosby situation all wrong.

The team is actually in a pretty good position as it relates to the status of its defensive star and most popular player this offseason.

Despite his protestations about the way the news was released, Crosby has passed on several opportunities to deny a report he has communicated to the team a desire to be traded.

It might be complete nonsense. It also could be an undeniable fact. Most likely, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

There’s no doubt he has been frustrated with the losing and the injuries and the way his playing status was handled down the stretch last year. He’s probably as close as he’s been to considering an exit plan after years of insisting he would be a Raider for life.

But it’s very unlikely the relationship is completely irreparable. And to be blunt, even if it were, the organization still holds most of the cards outside of him simply refusing to play.

So the Raiders are in a pretty favorable position, even if fans are freaking out about the possibility of life without one of the franchise’s most beloved figures.

Gaining flexibility

General manager John Spytek, who has quietly done a very solid job of setting the organization up with a ton of flexibility and an exciting young coaching staff, can sit back and weigh his options.

He can certainly keep Crosby around, potentially even doing a new deal to make him happy and keep him around even longer. Crosby is one of the most productive and consistent defensive players in the league and is a great piece to build around, even if there is significant wear and tear on his body. Especially for Rob Leonard, a first-time defensive coordinator with a close relationship with Crosby.

Or Spytek can truly jumpstart the rebuild around presumed first pick Fernando Mendoza by exploring trade options for Crosby.

If that’s the route, Spytek is likely to be among the most popular figures at all the late-night haunts in Indianapolis this week at the combine. He will hear endless pitches from executives around the league over spicy shrimp cocktails at St. Elmo’s or the less-heralded but equally epic stuffed breadsticks at Kilroy’s.

And he should listen. He will listen. It would be foolish not to listen.

But in the end, the Raiders should only move Crosby if they get a great offer. Spytek can have teams line up and present him trade packages, inviting them to try to one-up each other.

And if he doesn’t get the deal he wants or thinks the bidding hasn’t gone high enough?

He can hang on to a superstar pass rusher on a contract that isn’t crippling to the mission of building a consistent winner in the future with a rookie quarterback coming in next season.

Oh, the horror.

Endless possibilities

So what kind of deals could potentially be out there? That is what the Raiders will truly find out this week.

One rumor that has been floated is that the Raiders would be seeking two first-round picks and a premium player at a minimum.

That feels steep on the surface, but any team trading for Crosby would most likely be a contender picking late in the first round with the expectation they would also be picking late in the first round next year. So those two first-round picks all of a sudden start to look a lot more reasonable for a team that could just be a Crosby away from a Super Bowl.

Two firsts and an immediate starter at a premium position, especially wide receiver, would have to be considered. No doubt.

But media in markets all around the league are coming up with their own trade proposals.

One suggestion out of Chicago was a first-round pick and D.J. Moore. That might be a tough sell. The Raiders would need to find better.

But another out of Detroit pitched a first-round pick, emerging star wideout Jameson Williams and potentially another premium pick. Now there is something that would have to be contemplated.

ESPN proposed the Cowboys sending George Pickens to the Raiders with a first-round pick in exchange for Crosby and a second-rounder. There is some appeal there, but the Raiders would also have to work out a contract with Pickens, which would complicate that type of deal.

You get the idea. The Raiders would be in great position with draft capital and a potential star player to jumpstart their rebuild should they trade Crosby.

Or they can keep him and build around him.

Feels like a pretty good position to be in.

The shrimp cocktail should taste that much better for Spytek, who heads to Indianapolis in a position of power.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.