The NFL calendar has stopped feeling like downtime — offseason talk is already settling in. With the 2025 season winding down and thoughts turning toward trades, free agency and the 2026 draft, Maxx Crosby’s future with the Las Vegas Raiders has become a prominent topic, even during Super Bowl week.
Tension between Crosby and the Raiders flared after he left the team at the end of the regular season, and reports suggested he was unhappy with how things were handled. That discontent — combined with his desire to push for changes — could be the reason he moves on this offseason. Still, there have been mixed signals: some outlets said both Crosby and the Raiders were in “good shape” as he recovers from a meniscus repair.
Publicly, the team has emphasized they want Crosby to stay. New head coach Clint Kubiak stated at his introductory press conference that Crosby is “one of the best players in the NFL” and that the Raiders want him to be part of their future success.
Even so, trade chatter will likely persist, so here’s a deeper look at what Crosby might fetch on the market and five mock trade scenarios.
How much is Crosby worth in a trade?
A useful comparison is last summer’s Micah Parsons deal, when Dallas sent two first-round picks plus DT Kenny Clark to the Packers for Parsons. Using that as the upper bound, Crosby’s maximum could be two first-round picks plus a starting-level player. But there are important differences: Parsons was younger at the time of his trade (entering his age-26 season) and had higher recent production. Crosby turns 29 before next season and is currently rehabbing knee surgery — factors rival GMs could use to lower his asking price.
Crosby’s current contract runs through 2029, but only $30 million is guaranteed and those guarantees end after 2026, so a new team might seek a pay adjustment if they acquire him. Realistically, his trade value could range from a blockbuster (two first-rounders plus a starter) down to something like a single first-round pick plus a player or a second-round pick.
Five mock trades that could make sense
1) Philadelphia Eagles
– Raiders receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 23 overall), 2027 second-round pick
– Eagles receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Why it fits: Howie Roseman has shown a willingness to make splashy moves to boost a contender. The Eagles already improved their pass rush after acquiring Jaelan Phillips midseason; with Phillips potentially becoming a free agent, Philadelphia might target another elite edge rusher and be willing to part with first-round capital.
2) New England Patriots
– Raiders receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 31 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 63), DT Christian Barmore
– Patriots receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Why it fits: New England could mirror a Parsons-type return without surrendering multiple first-rounders. Adding Crosby would give the Patriots an immediate, proven pass-rush game-changer to pair with their young defensive pieces, and Barmore offers a ready-made replacement on the interior for the Raiders.
3) Buffalo Bills
– Raiders receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), 2027 first-round pick, WR Keon Coleman
– Bills receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Why it fits: If any team is willing to pay a premium, Buffalo might be it; the Bills need more pass rush help around Josh Allen and could view Crosby as a game-changer. However, Buffalo’s cap situation (reportedly about $7.5 million over) could complicate a deal. Including Keon Coleman addresses Las Vegas’s depth issues at receiver and could appeal to a rebuilding receiving corps.
4) Seattle Seahawks
– Raiders receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 32 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 64 overall)
– Seahawks receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Why it fits: Seattle, coming off a championship, has the cap space (reported around $72.2 million) and draft capital to add an elite edge rusher to help them defend their title, especially if certain pass rushers test free agency. Crosby would be a high-impact addition to an already strong roster.
5) San Francisco 49ers
– Raiders receive: 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 58 overall)
– 49ers receive: EDGE Maxx Crosby
Why it fits: The 49ers’ pass rush was severely hampered by injuries in 2025 — Nick Bosa and Mikel Williams both suffered ACL tears, contributing to an unusually low sack total. San Francisco’s aggressive front office could pursue Crosby to restore their edge pressure in a division that remains extremely competitive.
Should the Raiders trade Maxx Crosby?
Both coach Clint Kubiak and owner Mark Davis have publicly said they want Crosby to stay. Still, the Raiders are in a transitional phase: a new coach, young pieces on offense and a potential No. 1 overall rookie quarterback (Fernando Mendoza) start to define a timeline that might not align with Crosby’s peak years. Crosby has been a face of the franchise since Las Vegas drafted him in the fourth round in 2019, but if the front office can acquire substantial draft capital and players that accelerate a rebuild around that young core, a trade could make strategic sense.
Fan Take:
Maxx Crosby’s potential departure matters because moving a cornerstone edge rusher reshapes contender windows — it can instantly tilt the balance for teams chasing a title while accelerating a rebuild for a franchise like the Raiders. For NFL fans, blockbuster trades like this create high-stakes drama and can change the league landscape overnight, affecting playoff races and draft strategies leaguewide.
