Maxx Crosby has not requested a trade, and each Mark Davis and Klint Kubiak have attempted to calm the waters after a couple of reports have indicated the star edge rusher wants nothing to do with one other rebuild. A staring contest may emerge here, because the Raiders are understandably setting a high asking price.
Las Vegas would need a Micah Parsons-level return in a Crosby trade, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes. The Cowboys received two first-rounders and Kenny Clark from the Packers last August. Parsons was 26 on the time of the trade, while Crosby is entering an age-29 season. That can affect the trade compensation, but Crosby being tied to a team-friendlier contract in comparison with what the Packers needed to authorize would help the Raiders’ case for a two-first-rounder package as well.
Pass rushers generally don’t fetch this type of return, however the Raiders were a part of the opposite notable pickup. The Bears’ Khalil Mack package featured two firsts just before the 2018 season. After the Raiders finished with only 13 sacks in 2018, Crosby — as a 2019 fourth-round pick — stepped in to anchor the unit. He was a part of Jon Gruden‘s rebuild effort, and the team has continued to cycle through head coaches and GMs since.
With Fernando Mendoza likely coming to Vegas, the team is about for an additional rebuild. Crosby has made it known he wants no a part of that route, with a report indicating his camp is telling teams the the five-time Pro Bowler seeks a fresh start. This could lead on to a staredown.
Like Parsons, Mack needed a brand new contract post-trade. Crosby’s $35.5MM-per-year extension runs through 2029, giving this trade landscape an interesting wrinkle. It took a $40MM-AAV extension for Myles Garrett to come back off his hardline trade ask last 12 months. Like Crosby, Garrett was dissatisfied with being an All-Pro talent in a rebuilding situation. Garrett had not been paid since 2020, but with Crosby being prolonged last March, it will be a surprise if this contract is an enormous issue.
Each Bradley Chubb and Frank Clark fetched first-round picks and other draft assets. Clark cost the Chiefs first-, second- and third-rounders, though Kansas City snared a third-rounder back from Seattle in that 2019 swap. Chubb and Clark were younger than Crosby on the time of the trades, but each also signed a brand new contract shortly after being moved. Ditto Jared Allen in 2008, who brought first- and third-rounders back to Kansas City from Minnesota. A pass rusher of Crosby’s age and caliber being moved without latest money being involved adds intrigue here.
The Raiders don’t have to act. Davis has slammed the door on trade interest previously, and Kubiak is clearly excited about the Raiders keeping their top player to start out his HC tenure. Crosby expressing frustration to the purpose this becomes a messy situation for the Raiders would bring a test for Davis, John Spytek and Tom Brady. Teams are unable to waive fines for players on veteran contracts who hold out of coaching camp. That might bring a test for Crosby’s motivation to depart Nevada.
Las Vegas’ front office-led effort to shut down Crosby — in per week where Brock Bowers was also placed on IR — irked the completed EDGE, and trade rumors have continually emerged since. Crosby did undergo surgery to repair his meniscus, and a monthslong recovery is on tap. This might slow trade talks, though with the eighth-year veteran not being in jeopardy of missing regular-season time, it will be hard to consider trade motion would stop for this reason rehab process.
It could make sense for the Raiders to maneuver Crosby before the draft, in the event that they ultimately do resolve to ignite a bidding war, to build up assets to assist Mendoza in his rookie 12 months. The Cowboys and Gruden-era Raiders respectively waited until the late-summer trade window to maneuver Parsons and Mack. How Crosby navigates the approaching weeks will determine how serious the prospect of his Vegas exit becomes.