From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, speculation will swirl around whether any franchise can muster an offer convincing enough for the Las Vegas Raiders to trade their star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Intense trade rumors have recently surfaced, fueled by reports from FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, sparking conversations about the cost to acquire one of the NFL’s premier defensive players.
On February 6, during an appearance on CBS Sports HQ, NFL insider Jonathan Jones provided a key update on the situation, outlining what kind of compensation the Raiders would demand. He stated,
“I think we’re talking about two first-round picks for Crosby,”
and added,
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that that’s what you’re talking about with Maxx Crosby… So, who has two ones to give up? If you’re the Raiders, do you have to have the two ones this year?”
Jones also emphasized that a trade involving Crosby would have financial consequences beyond just draft capital. He pointed out that the Raiders must meet the NFL’s salary cap floor and would need to allocate funds strategically after moving on from their highest-paid player.
Expanding on this point, Jones remarked,
“They have a salary cap floor that they have to spend to, if they remove Maxx Crosby from the equation, one of the highest-paid players in the NFL and their highest-paid player, they need to start paying some players too to reach that established floor.”
He further noted,
“It is not as simple as, ‘Oh, send Maxx Crosby away, get a couple of rookie first-rounders, and that’s that.’ There’s actual, real financial math that has to be taken care of on that. We’ll report more on that as time goes along.”
NFL Franchises Most Likely Interested in Acquiring Crosby
Regarding which teams might pursue the Raiders’ star pass rusher, Jones made it clear that almost every team in the league would want Crosby, with a few notable exceptions. He explained,
“Again, it’d be silly for me to sit here and tell you, like, ‘Here are the top three teams to watch,’”
before adding,
“I’m telling you that 31 teams want Maxx Crosby.”
However, Jones identified a couple of organizations unlikely to engage significantly in pursuit. He said,
“The Green Bay Packers aren’t going after him because they have Micah Parsons, and what they just gave up for Parsons,”
and referenced the Cleveland Browns’ position by noting,
“But outside of that, outside of the Cleveland Browns, who also have an extra first-round pick. Everyone’s going to want Maxx Crosby.”
Maxx Crosby Addresses Trade Speculation Head-On
With all the swirling rumors, Maxx Crosby himself remained unbothered by the chatter surrounding his future. During his February 6 interview on The Herd, Crosby offered insight into his mindset amid the speculation. He shared,
“It’s funny, I’m glad you brought it up, because it’s like, damn if you do, damn if you don’t. For me, in the past, I’ve learned that being too vocal and too involved with trying to make, I want this coach, or I want this. I’ve learned my lessons, and I’ve learned from that. That’s not my job…”
Crosby elaborated on his approach to handling rumors with quiet confidence. He said,
“But you can’t control everything. I’ve learned that. Now that I’m quiet, now I’ve got random people making big statements for me. They’re like, ‘Oh, Maxx must have told them this.’ For me, I just sit back and laugh, because I know my truth. When I go to bed at night, I have a smile on my face because I don’t have to explain nothing to nobody.”
– Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher
Implications of a Potential Crosby Trade for the Raiders and the NFL
The possibility of trading Maxx Crosby represents a significant decision for the Las Vegas Raiders, combining draft capital, financial strategy, and team-building priorities. Demanding two first-round picks indicates the high value the Raiders place on Crosby’s impact, while the accompanying salary cap considerations highlight the complex balance teams must maintain.
If the Raiders proceed with such a trade, they will need to reinvest thoughtfully to meet league financial requirements and remain competitive. Meanwhile, most NFL teams would very likely show interest, placing the Raiders in a position of strength to negotiate.
As trade discussions continue to develop, monitoring which franchises emerge as serious contenders will be crucial. Meanwhile, Crosby’s measured response signals a player focused on performance rather than distractions, leaving his future firmly in the hands of front office decisions.
"I try not to address certain things because no matter what someone is going to pick it apart… I'll let people do their talking, all I'm about is my actions."@colincowherd talks with @Raiders DE @CrosbyMaxx about where he stands with the organization pic.twitter.com/OHF0JnMMDj
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) February 6, 2026
