The Raiders thought they ended the Maxx Crosby era once they agreed to trade the star defensive end to the Ravens on March 5. The blockbuster would have netted the Raiders a pair of first-round picks, however the Ravens backed out last Tuesday after Crosby failed a physical.
Although Crosby is recovering from a full meniscus repair, trade speculation centering on the 28-year-old has continued. For Crosby’s part, the five-time Pro Bowler seems content to play an eighth season with the Raiders. “Im [sic] A Raider. I’m Back,” he posted on X last week.
It helps that Crosby is a fan of general manager John Spytek, rookie head coach Klint Kubiak and recent defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, Albert Breer of SI.com relays. Crosby has an incredible relationship with Leonard, the Raiders’ defensive position coach over the previous three seasons. He combined for 68 tackles for loss and 32 sacks under Leonard from 2023-25.
While there may be nothing stopping teams from pursuing a Crosby trade, the Raiders have made it clear they are usually not giving him away for a reduction, per Breer. If there are any more “serious” trade talks regarding Crosby, they’re unlikely to occur until around April’s draft, based on Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. By then, Crosby may very well be in position to pass a physical.
Regardless, odds are a Crosby trade is not going to come together before next season, based on Breer, who notes an acquiring GM can be taking a significant risk in giving up significant value for Crosby. If his knee troubles proceed over the following couple of years, it could be difficult for the GM to justify the gamble to a team owner.
“My gut, I feel he’s a Raider,” one GM told La Canfora.
Signs are pointing to Crosby opening 2026 as a Raider, but Breer points to the potential for a trade before the deadline if he’s playing well and the team is out of contention. That might not be an consequence the Raiders are envisioning, though, after they went on a free agent spending spree. Also they are expected to land their next starting quarterback, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, with the No. 1 pick within the draft.
With a brand new coaching staff and far more talent on their roster, the Raiders will expect to make legitimate progress after a three-win 2025 showing. If the Raiders retain him, a healthy Crosby should boost their probabilities of turning things around next season.