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Teams Being Informed Of Maxx Crosby’s Desire For Trade; Knee Recovery Could Delay Raiders Departure

By | at February 9, 2026 11:25 pm

Recent reporting has indicated Maxx Crosby will seek a trade from the Raiders. The star edge rusher has not publicly stated a desire to leave, but further indications have emerged which point toward a split with Vegas happening relatively soon.

Crosby’s camp has started informing other teams of his preference for a fresh start, Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reports. He adds the five-time Pro Bowler has in fact “explicitly” told the Raiders he will not play for the franchise any longer. Of course, that does not guarantee a trade will take place.

“He told Tom Brady he will never play for the Raiders again,” an NFL general manager told La Canfora. “That’s a fact. He told them he’ll retire before he ever plays for them again. But I’m not sure they’re actually going to trade him.”

Myles Garrett made clear his desire to depart the Browns last offseason. In the end, though, an extension was worked out and doubts about his Cleveland future were quelled. Crosby was among the many high-profile edge rushers who wound up inking new deals with their respective teams in 2025. As such, he is on the books through the 2029 season on a pact which contains relatively consistent base salaries and cap charges.

Crosby played through a knee injury for much of the 2025 campaign. In advance of Vegas’ game against the Giants – one which essentially decided the owner of the No. 1 pick in the draft – the team elected to shut him down. That decision (one which was not unanimous, as then-head coach Pete Carroll objected) resulted in Crosby undergoing surgery. The Raiders wound up securing the top selection, paving the way for quarterback Fernando Mendoza to be added in the hopes of becoming their new franchise passer. In any event, a rebuild is in order as Vegas aims to build a new core around the team’s next QB and its other offensive pieces.

The Raiders’ defense has been anchored by Crosby since his arrival in 2019. The 28-year-old has recorded double-digit sacks four times in his career. He has received a second-team All-Pro nod twice while operating as Vegas’ best player through a turbulent stretch on the sidelines and in the front office. Brady – who holds the title of minority owner but is well known to have a substantial impact on the Raiders’ operation alongside Mark Davis and GM John Spytek – has been in place since last offseason. A Crosby extension worked out at that point delayed talks of a potential trade but speculation continues to swirl regarding this spring.

“Now I’ve got random people making big statements for me,” the former fourth-rounder said during an interview with Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd (video link). “They’re like, ‘Maxx must have told them this.’ For me, I just sit back and laugh because I know my truth and when I go to bed at night, I have a smile on my face because I don’t have to explain nothing to nobody. I’ve said it over and over again. I’m getting healthy… That’s all that I care about, so all the noise, it’s news to me sometimes.”

Crosby is unlikely to offer a public declaration one way or the other when it comes to his future. The status of his recovery will of course be key, but a longer recovery time than first expected will be in store. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Crosby’s procedure was actually a meniscus repair, rather than a trim. His timetable for a return to full health will thus be measured in months instead of weeks.

Nevertheless, several teams will no doubt show considerable interest in a Crosby trade. The market for a potential swap in this case is “incredibly robust,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He adds no direct communication has taken place between player and team since the end of the season, so further dialogue will be something to watch for closely. In the meantime, suitors will continue to prepare offers for Crosby in the event Vegas becomes willing to entertain them.

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