Moe Moton
General manager John Spytek holds all the cards at the negotiating table for Maxx Crosby. If he plays his hand the right way, the Las Vegas Raiders will benefit whether the team trades or retains its star pass-rusher.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders want a trade package comparable to what the Dallas Cowboys received for Micah Parsons:
So, a team would have to give the Raiders two first-rounders and a player in a deal.
Crosby hasn’t formally requested a trade. So, Las Vegas doesn’t have to budge on its asking price. Spytek can wait for a club to satisfy his demand, or roll into the 2026 season with his best defender, a five-time Pro Bowler coming off his fourth double-digit-sack season, on the edge.
Why Keeping Maxx Crosby Is a Win
It’s easy to understand why the Raiders should keep Crosby rather than lower their compensation threshold to deal him. The defense doesn’t feature another reliable pass-rusher who consistently takes down quarterbacks.
A wise man once said, “The quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard.”
Other than Crosby, who can you depend on to do that?
Without Crosby, teams may have a field day against the Raiders defense because of its lack of playmakers on the back end.
Raiders don’t have a surefire starting cornerback under contract in 2026. They also have one of the league’s worst safety groups. Last season, Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao gave up 10 touchdowns combined in coverage. Both allowed passer ratings above 120 out of a possible 158.3 rating.
The Raiders can’t go into the 2026 season without much of a pass rush and a suspect secondary. With that defensive setup, Fernando Mendoza would feel the pressure to lead the team in scoring shootouts every week–not ideal for a rookie. Even if Mendoza doesn’t start right away, you want to see him on the field at some point this year, with a decent defense.
Las Vegas has several needs, too.
Spytek must address the offensive line, add a wide receiver, two linebackers, a couple of safeties and a cornerback if he doesn’t re-sign Eric Stokes. The Raiders are going to need more than one additional premium draft pick to infuse this roster with talent if they trade Crosby.
If a front-office executive’s trade inquiry doesn’t start with two first-round picks, Spytek needs to find a reason to say, “I’ll call them back,” and we know when someone says that, they’re not calling you back.
Honest Conversations About Maxx Crosby’s Workload
Some fans get squeamish with the idea of trading Crosby, but that could work out in the team’s favor as well.
Crosby, as great as he’s been, will turn 29 in August. Unless you’re Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt or Danielle Hunter, there aren’t many dominant pass-rushers 30 years or older.
Yes, Crosby could be one of those guys in two years, but he’s played at least 94 percent of the snaps in four consecutive seasons and had multiple surgeries in recent years to show for it.
Is that sustainable? Probably not.
If Crosby is unwilling to take fewer snaps to preserve himself, he runs the risk of a sharp decline sooner rather than later. In 2025, Crosby played through a knee injury that required surgery, but the wear and tear showed up in his missed tackle rate, which was 11 percent, the highest it’s been since his second season in 2020.
While you respect Crosby’s toughness and relentless motor, you don’t want a player running himself into the ground on the field for nearly 100 percent of the snaps as he ages. If the Raiders are unable to get him to understand that slightly fewer snaps could mean more quality plays, it may be time to move on before the injuries take a significant toll.
Honest Conversations About Maxx Crosby’s Timeline
The Raiders must also consider their short-term plan and Crosby’s aspirations.
Crosby’s timeline doesn’t quite align with the Raiders’ rebuild process unless the team goes into win-now mode, which failed miserably under former head coach Pete Carroll.
Spytek must consider whether Crosby’s goal of playing in meaningful January games aligns with how the Raiders want to rebuild “the right way.”
If the right way is taking baby steps in improvement, Crosby doesn’t have the time to be patient, going into his age-29 campaign.
Of course, teams go from one worst to first or sub-.500 to the playoffs, but that’s not the norm. If the Raiders aren’t an anomaly, will Crosby be OK with playing another year on a team that misses the playoffs?
If Crosby isn’t all-in because of a beef with team wellness coordinator Alex Guerrero or sees greener pastures elsewhere, the Raiders need to make a deal.
Sure, former general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden fumbled multiple first-rounders the last time the Raiders swapped players for picks, but a different regime’s past doesn’t dictate the future. Just like Mendoza isn’t destined to fail because JaMarcus Russell didn’t live up to the expectations of a No. 1 pick two decades ago.
Because of his age, Crosby probably isn’t going to fetch a premium package next offseason. So, if the Raiders feel the need to move him for whatever reason, they should do it now for a fair return.
Crosby is all gas and no brakes on the field, which is what you want in a player, until his body breaks down–then you’re stuck with a depreciating asset. As cruel as it sounds, that’s the business of the game.
John Spytek’s Chance to Prove Himself?
If Spytek can flip Crosby for two premium picks and a player with less mileage, it’s worth considering for long-term success. Those players won’t be Crosby, but they don’t need to be for the Raiders to win more games.
The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots just played in Super Bowl LX. Neither team had a player with double-digit sacks or an elite pass-rusher. The Seahawks hit some home runs in recent drafts, though. The Patriots spent well in free agency last offseason.
Obviously, Crosby isn’t a random expendable player, but if Spytek trusts his scouting department and coaching staff, he should be confident that the Raiders can turn premium picks into starters and high-level playmakers.
If the Raiders keep Maxx Crosby, great. They have a proven pass-rusher who’s the heart and soul of that defense. If Las Vegas trades him for a massive haul, Spytek will have a chance to prove he’s one of the league’s best talent evaluators with enough draft capital to build a sustainable winner.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Silver and Black Today — Powered by Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.
