Maxx Crosby is the best pass rusher the Las Vegas Raiders have had in years, and his future with the team is the biggest storyline of the NFL offseason. The question is not just about football. It is about trust and whether a franchise can hold on to its star.
After a 3–14 season, a public injured-reserve dispute, and reported tension between Maxx Crosby and the Raiders organization, their relationship appears to be at a genuine crossroads. What happens next could reshape the entire future of the Las Vegas franchise.
Keep reading to get the full picture on this offseason situation.
A fourth-round pick who became a franchise cornerstone
Nobody predicted a fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan would become the heart of a franchise. Crosby was selected 106th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and immediately made an impact on the Raiders’ defense. He finished his rookie season with 10 sacks and nearly won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. That debut announced that something special had arrived for the Raiders franchise.
Over seven seasons, Crosby has built one of the most consistent pass rush résumés in NFL history. He is one of only two players in the league to record at least seven sacks in each of the last six seasons, a testament to his relentless motor and absolutely elite skill.
The numbers that make him irreplaceable
In 15 games during 2025, Crosby posted 10 sacks, 73 tackles, and 28 tackles for loss, earning his fifth straight Pro Bowl nod. He also recorded his first career interception. Only missing the final two games kept him from reaching 30-plus tackles for loss, which would have been truly historic.
His career numbers are equally staggering. Through 110 career games, Crosby has racked up 69.5 sacks and 439 tackles. Since 2019, his 324 pressures are 40 more than the next closest player in the entire NFL. His dominance on a losing team makes those numbers even more remarkable and respected.
The $106.5 million contract at the center of it all
In March 2025, the Raiders gave Crosby a three-year extension worth $106.5 million with $91.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at the time. The deal was celebrated as a powerful statement that Las Vegas was fully committed to building its roster around its best player.
That contract now complicates every potential move. Any team trading for Crosby would be taking on a salary-heavy deal that pays him roughly $30 million per year in 2026 and 2027, with a significant portion of his 2027 compensation scheduled to become fully guaranteed if he remains on the roster around the start of the 2026 league year.
The knee that lit the fuse
Crosby initially hurt his left knee on October 19, 2025, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the injury, he kept playing every single week, pushing through significant discomfort and refusing to sit out. His toughness was undeniable, showing the kind of loyalty that typically defines a true franchise cornerstone player.
In late December, the Raiders placed him on injured reserve with two games remaining in the season. Crosby vehemently disagreed with the decision and left the building after learning of it. He then posted videos of himself playing basketball, sending a clear message that he was healthy enough to play.
The Instagram move that spoke louder than words
The social media posts sparked a firestorm across the entire NFL world. Fans and analysts debated whether Crosby was right to push back or whether the team made the correct medical call. The truth is likely somewhere in the middle, but the damage done to the relationship was very visible.
The IR placement would cause Crosby to seriously evaluate his future with the organization. NFL insider Jay Glazer stated Crosby was not a happy camper after learning of the shutdown. Those words from a trusted league insider immediately sent trade rumors into overdrive across the league.
What the Raiders are saying publicly
Raiders GM John Spytek made his position clear at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Spytek told reporters he fully expects Crosby to remain with the team in 2026. “Maxx is an elite player,” Spytek said, adding that “It’s hard to build a great team without elite players.” Head coach Klint Kubiak and owner Mark Davis have both echoed that same message publicly.
However, Spytek was careful with his words when directly asked if Crosby was untradeable. I learned a long time ago, always listen, he said calmly. That answer did not close the door on any potential deal and gave the national media plenty to keep chewing on heading into free agency.
Where Crosby’s head is at
Crosby has refused to demand a trade publicly, but his words reveal a man at a turning point. On the Let’s Go podcast, Crosby said he wants to be somewhere he can focus on football and feel mentally free. He has expressed a desire to win, noting the Raiders gave him just one winning season in seven years. That frustration is something no contract amount can truly fix.
Spytek described himself as comfortable in his belief that Crosby genuinely wants to remain in Las Vegas. But the situation clearly stays fluid. Crosby appears to be in a true wait-and-see mode, watching how Las Vegas uses its massive cap space and the No. 1 pick first.
The teams circling and the trade market reality
ESPN projected multiple serious trade scenarios involving teams like the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers. The Bears had a 28.8 percent pass rush win rate last season, tied for last in the NFL, making Crosby an obvious target to upgrade their defensive front around young promising talent.
The Cowboys’ scenario was equally compelling, with Dallas potentially offering wide receiver George Pickens along with a first-round pick. But every scenario carries enormous financial weight. Any acquiring team would be taking on a contract that pays Crosby roughly $30 million per year over the next two seasons, plus additional money in later years, making him a major cap commitment.
Fun fact: The Raiders hold the second-most salary cap space in the entire NFL heading into 2026, giving them real financial firepower to build a contender around Crosby if they invest it wisely.
TL;DR
- Maxx Crosby posted 10 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, and 73 tackles across 15 games in 2025, earning his fifth straight Pro Bowl selection.
- The Raiders placed him on IR late in the season against his clear wishes, sparking a very public falling out between player and franchise.
- Crosby left the facility, posted social media content showing he was healthy, and reports emerged that he told ownership he was open to a trade.
- GM John Spytek said at the 2026 NFL Combine that he expects Crosby to stay but declined to call him untradeable.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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