Maxx Crosby was frustrated with how last season ended. The Las Vegas Raiders went 3-14, and the team shut him down for the final two games after placing the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end on injured reserve with a knee injury that needed surgery. While the Raiders tumbled toward the No. 1 pick, Crosby kept posting videos of himself playing basketball and jumping on a trampoline, seemingly unconcerned with the franchise’s struggles.
The Athletic’s Deanna Russini reported that the situation had soured Crosby’s relationship with the Raiders and that the team was expected to be open to trading him this offseason. Reports also surfaced that Crosby told minority owner Tom Brady he wouldn’t play for the Raiders again, which would likely spark strong interest around the league if he were made available.
There are signs the two sides may be patching things up. After the Raiders dismissed their head coach last month, Crosby publicly praised his coach, and he has already met the team’s new leader, Clint Kubiak. Kubiak — who was introduced as the Raiders’ head coach on Tuesday after a dominant win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX — said he met Crosby for coffee that morning. “I loved talking to him and I look forward to continuing the conversation,” Kubiak said, noting Crosby was the first player training that morning and that his work ethic was motivating.
Asked how crucial it would be for Crosby to buy into his vision immediately, Kubiak was unequivocal: “We want him to be part of our future success. There’s no question about it. He’s one of the best players in the NFL. So it’s a no-brainer to work with Max and see him continue to be successful with this organization.”
Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Raiders last year — at the time the largest deal ever for a non-quarterback — though that distinction has since been eclipsed. A fourth-round pick out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, Crosby has spent seven seasons with the franchise (they were still in Oakland when they drafted him) and has posted at least 10 sacks in a season four times, including in 2025 despite his year ending early.
Fan Take: This matters because Crosby is one of the league’s premier pass rushers, and whether he stays in Las Vegas or gets traded will reshape contenders’ pass-rush plans and defensive strategies. If he remains and buys into the new coach’s vision, the Raiders instantly become more competitive; if he’s dealt, the ripple effects could alter the balance of power across the NFL.
