Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek expressed confidence on Tuesday that star pass rusher Maxx Crosby will remain with the team through the 2026 NFL season. Speaking from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Spytek addressed rumors surrounding Crosby’s future following a challenging 2025 campaign marred by injury and ended with a meniscus repair.
Strong Relationship Between Crosby and Raiders Leadership
Despite speculation during Super Bowl week that Crosby wanted to leave the team, Spytek emphasized the strong relationship he maintains with the standout edge rusher. He highlighted ongoing communication and Crosby’s presence at team facilities as signs of mutual commitment moving forward.
“Maxx and I have a great relationship,”
Spytek said.
“He’s in the building every day getting healthy right now. We talk on the phone, we text. So I have a great relationship with Maxx.”
Balancing Team Needs with Retaining an Elite Player
Although trading Crosby could provide valuable assets for a Raiders roster in need of talent, Spytek made it clear that preserving the presence of an elite playmaker outweighs uncertain trades. Crosby’s ability to disrupt offenses makes him a cornerstone for the team’s future plans.
“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.
“It’s hard to build a great team without elite players.”
Building Toward Contention in the Near Future
Crosby, who has appeared in just one playoff game during his seven seasons, has expressed a desire to compete for a championship. Asked about the Raiders’ chances at contending by 2026, Spytek cited rapid turnarounds in the NFL as reason for optimism.
“I think we’re going to build this team the right way,”
Spytek remarked.
“This league is littered with examples of teams that went from a top-five pick to the NFC championship, the Super Bowl. We’ve seen it the last couple of years. The Patriots won four games last year, and they were in the big game. The year before, the Commanders picked second and were in the NFC Championship Game. So, we’re going to build it the right way and we’ll see what comes.”
Implications for the Raiders’ Direction Under Klint Kubiak
Spytek’s statements provide reassurance to Raiders supporters that the team intends to maintain a core around Crosby as it enters a new phase under head coach Klint Kubiak. While the GM’s decision to confirm Crosby’s status at the Combine suggests no immediate plans to trade the star, any potential moves would likely occur later.
Although speculation about Crosby’s future may continue, Spytek’s remarks offer a degree of stabilizing clarity during a tense and uncertain offseason for the Raiders.
