The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for a rebuild in 2026, but questions remain about whether star pass rusher Maxx Crosby will continue his tenure with the team. Though Crosby has not publicly requested a trade or expressed a desire to leave Sin City, reports suggest his loyalty has been tested, especially after he was shut down early this past season against his wishes. The looming uncertainty over Crosby’s status has stirred intense speculation about the Raiders’ plans moving forward with their prized defender.
Insights from Industry Insiders Highlight Crosby’s Frustration
Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer, one of the first to report on Crosby’s frustration, suggested that the player’s era with the Raiders could be coming to an end. Albert Breer from The MMQB added that Crosby’s grievances run deep, implicating high-level figures such as Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero within the organization. Breer emphasized that considerable efforts toward reconciliation are necessary to mend the relationship between the player and franchise leadership.
Raiders General Manager Addresses Crosby’s Situation During NFL Combine
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Raiders GM John Spytek broke his silence regarding the speculation surrounding Crosby’s future. Spytek expressed steady confidence that Crosby will remain with the team for the upcoming season, underscoring the importance of retaining elite talent for successful team building.
Maxx is an elite player and I’m been very upfront that we’re in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them,
Spytek stated, as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
It’s hard to build a great team without elite players.
Trade Rumors and Potential Market Value for Maxx Crosby
Crosby is anticipated to be a principal topic at the combine, fueling trade rumors if the Raiders choose to entertain offers. Comparisons have been drawn to the Dallas Cowboys’ trade package for Micah Parsons, which included two first-round draft picks and a player. Given Crosby’s elite skill set, any deal involving him could demand equal or greater compensation, reflecting his high value across the league.
Maxx Crosby’s Career Achievements and Loyalty to the Raiders
Since being selected in the fourth round out of Eastern Michigan in 2019, Crosby has established himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive ends. He has earned five Pro Bowl appearances and was named Second Team All-Pro twice. Statistically, he leads with 133 tackles for loss and ranks fifth in quarterback hits at 164, while accumulating 69.5 sacks, ranking sixth overall. Notably, he has played the most snaps among defensive linemen with 6,112.
Despite the Raiders posting only one winning season during his seven years with the team, Crosby has shown strong loyalty to the franchise. However, his experience last season, when he was sidelined prior to his consent, may have left him open to exploring other options if the team is willing to part ways.
Maxx Crosby’s Own Words on His Commitment and Focus
Speaking openly about his mindset on the Let’s Go! podcast, Crosby stressed his dedication to winning and his desire to be mentally at ease to perform at his best.
I have a lot of goals, but I do want to win,
Crosby said earlier this month (H/T NFL.com).
That’s all that matters ultimately, but I want to be in a place where mentally I’m 100 percent myself. I just want to focus on football. That’s truly what I want. People that know me know I’m about the work and the football. I just want to play football and be left the f— alone. Period. And the people that don’t understand that don’t f—— know me. People can say whatever they want. … But truly, I don’t give a f— besides playing football and winning football games. I give my whole life to this sport every single day.
He further described his rigorous daily routine and unwavering commitment:
I’m here every morning. My alarm goes off at 4:55, and I’m f—— driving 35 minutes across town in an empty, dark building, doing the same thing every single day, trying to help my team, trying to help myself. People can talk all they want. People go on Twitter. I don’t even see half the s—. Like I said, half of it is news to me. I just care about playing football.
Implications of Crosby’s Status for the Raiders’ Rebuild
The future of Maxx Crosby and his role in the Raiders’ 2026 reboot carries significant weight for the franchise’s trajectory. Retaining a player of Crosby’s caliber would provide a foundational piece around which the Raiders can build a competitive roster. Conversely, trading him could yield substantial draft capital and talent, accelerating the rebuilding process but risking the loss of a proven game-changer.
John Spytek’s public confidence in Crosby’s continuation signals the franchise’s current preference to keep their defensive cornerstone, but as contract negotiations and team dynamics evolve, the landscape could shift. The decisions made in the coming months will have a lasting impact on the Raiders’ competitiveness and identity in the NFL.
Jay Glazer believes Maxx Crosby’s time with the Raiders is over and the price to trade for him will be more than what Micah Parsons went for. 🤯
Micah was traded for two 1st round picks and Kenny Clark. The Bears have to pay a big price tag if they want Maxx.
🎥: @YahooSports pic.twitter.com/3vreEHwR8P
— Bearsszn (@bearszn) February 4, 2026
Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games. Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 26, 2025
Spytek: "Maxx is an elite player and I'm been very upfront that we're in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them. It's hard to build a great team without elite players." https://t.co/1EW5FkvyDL
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 24, 2026
