Even though defensive end Maxx Crosby has been in the Raiders’ building rehabbing from a left knee injury, he reportedly doesn’t want to play for them anymore. A blockbuster offseason trade centering on the five-time Pro Bowler could be in the offing, but rookie head coach Klint Kubiak and owner Mark Davis are hoping it doesn’t come to that.
Immediately after winning Super Bowl LX as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator on Sunday, Kubiak officially took the top job in Las Vegas. Before his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Kubiak had coffee with Crosby.
While Kubiak didn’t go into detail about his meeting with Crosby, who didn’t attend the news conference, he told the media his desire is for the pass-rushing dynamo to remain in place (via Ryan McFadden of ESPN).
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward. There’s no doubt about that,” Kubiak said. “He’s one of the best players in the NFL, so that’s a no-brainer to get to work with Maxx and see him continue to have success with his organization.”
Also asked about Crosby, Davis stated: “He is a great Raider. He’s gone through a lifetime of development here for seven or eight years, and he still is a Raider. So, it’s all good.”
Whether it’s truly “all good” between Crosby and the Raiders is up in the air, especially after a contentious ending to 2025. With two games left and the Raiders vying for the No. 1 pick (which they went on to secure), they used Crosby’s knee injury as an excuse to shut him down for the season. That didn’t sit well with Crosby, who wanted to play through it. He has since undergone a meniscus repair that could prevent him from returning to full strength for a few months.
Crosby’s knee bothered him for a large portion of the season, but he still managed 73 tackles, 53 pressures, 20 QB hits, 10 sacks, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 15 games. Pro Football Focus ranked Crosby as the game’s 15th-best edge player among 119 qualifiers. Although he’s not 100% at the moment, the 28-year-old’s trade value should be sky-high.
If the Raiders deal Crosby, an acquiring team presumably wouldn’t have to work out a new contract after he inked a three-year, $106.5MM extension last March. The Raiders shut down trade rumors centering on Crosby then, and it appeared that would remain the case for the foreseeable future. But after a 3-14 campaign that ended with Crosby going on injured reserve against his wishes, the seven-year Raider’s future with the team is in question for the second offseason in a row.
So great that they had to shelf him against his will to maintain the tank.
Don’t forget that they also shelved their TE as well!
Yes so win a meaningless game and miss out on a franchise QB and sought-after coach. Bowers was also playing injured.
It was their choice, but it seems like the affected player wants to avoid the scame scenario in the future. The best option is to go to a team with a winning mentality and build an even more successful career.
He literally had surgery that’s going to take him out for a good chunk of the offseason. They saved him from himself. Maxx is acting like a diva.
There are injuries you can play on that will also eventually require surgery that has a lengthy recovery time. Both things can be true.
Some people on here will trash players’ character no matter what they do. Won’t play through injury? Soft. Wants to play through an injury? Diva. Wants to be traded to a better organization? Diva. Doesn’t want to be traded to a better organization? Doesn’t care about winning.
Management has to do what’s best for the team. I love Maxx but last I checked he’s a player not a GM. If he had his way, they may have won a meaningless game and missed out on potential franchise QB. I highly doubt the coaching vacancy is attractive without it.
Sure. I’m not arguing with any of that. But if you make decisions like that, you risk alienating your best player, especially when he’s already endured a lot of dysfunction from the organization. I don’t think being fed up with the Raiders would make him a diva. And the man’s given them almost 7,000 snaps in 7 seasons. He’s one of the great workhorses in the game.
I think that’s separate but I agree with you. I would not hold it against him to ask for a trade. He did his time. To me it’s awkward timing since he will have a legit HC coming in with a franchise QB also coming in. You stayed for Pete and AP but wanna leave when we have actual reason for hope lol
Would love to have him but I’m ok with trading him
He’s had 6 head coaches in 7 seasons. He just watched them fire a hall of fame coach after one season. It would be hard to blame him for not thinking this will be the one that changes everything.
The HoF coach was an absolute disaster though. I do want to clarify my Maxx acting like a diva comment. I commend him for being an absolute dawg and pushing to play. Not taking that away from him. It’s him crying about it 1 month later that portrays him as a diva in my mind.
Sure, Carroll’s season went terribly. A first timer is not a more “legit HC” coming in though. And crying is your word. It’s understandable for the player to want out. Calling him a diva or crying or whatever is BS.
Agree. Most players want to set records and win the SuperBowl. The Raiders limited him in both areas.
Cool story bro
I’m thinking, until Crosby speaks his intent in public any speculations is just bs.
Any team can experience a reasonable turn around with coaching changes, plenty of cap space, good drafting and an easy schedule. See the recent Patriots as an example.