Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek expressed confidence that star defensive end Maxx Crosby will remain with the team in 2026, addressing ongoing trade speculation during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Spytek emphasized the team’s intention to keep talented players like Crosby as part of their future plans.
Raiders General Manager Discusses Maxx Crosby’s Role and Trade Talks
John Spytek spoke openly about Maxx Crosby’s status amid rumors of a potential trade, highlighting Crosby’s importance to the Raiders.
“Maxx is an elite player, and I’ve been very upfront from the start when I got here that we’re in the business of having really good players on the team, and we need a lot more of them,”
Spytek said.
The general manager also shared that he maintains a strong rapport with Crosby and has had meaningful discussions with the 28-year-old defensive end, who has been consistently present while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Despite this relationship, Spytek acknowledged that no player is completely off-limits, stating the Raiders will consider trade offers, similar to their approach for the first overall draft pick.
Trade Rumors Heat Up Ahead of Super Bowl LX
Crosby’s name has resurfaced in trade conversations leading up to Super Bowl LX. Fox Sports reported that the five-time Pro Bowler might be traded due to his reluctance to participate in another Raiders rebuild. Additionally, The Athletic noted Crosby’s interest in joining the New England Patriots, specifically under head coach Mike Vrabel.
However, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak expressed a strong desire for Crosby to stay with the team, affirming that he sees Crosby as an essential piece of their future success. Raiders owner Mark Davis reiterated this sentiment, making it clear he wishes for the defensive star to remain in Las Vegas.
Player’s Injury and Season Performance Affect Future Outlook
Crosby’s status was uncertain late in the previous season when the Raiders placed him on injured reserve just before the final two games due to a knee injury, which caused some friction as he was displeased with the decision and left the facility. The injury originally occurred during the October 19 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the setback, Crosby compiled 73 tackles, including 28 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, earning his fifth Pro Bowl nod.
Although Crosby has demonstrated loyalty to the Raiders organization, he has also been clear about his ambition to compete at the highest level. He has worked under five full-time head coaches since entering the league in 2019 and has made the postseason one time.
Raiders’ Rebuilding Phase and Potential Impact on Crosby’s Future
The Raiders are currently in a rebuilding phase under Kubiak’s leadership, with the team holding the second-largest salary cap space in the league and eight draft picks. Among these picks is the possibility of selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, which could signal a significant shift in the team’s trajectory.
Spytek pointed to numerous examples across the league of teams evolving from holding top draft picks to competing in conference championships or Super Bowls.
“This league is littered with examples of teams that went from a top-five pick to the NFC Championship [or] a Super Bowl,”
Spytek said.
“We’re going to build it the right way, and we’ll see what comes.”
With the combination of cap flexibility and draft capital, the Raiders may present Crosby with a compelling reason to continue his tenure in Las Vegas, aligning with both the team’s goals and his competitive ambitions.
