Since the trade with Baltimore fell through a week ago, every indication from Maxx Crosby and the Raiders has been that they intend to give the relationship another try, and Crosby will be back with the team in 2026.
But considering the Raiders said they weren’t looking to trade Crosby a few weeks ago (and Crosby had reportedly requested a trade), is there good reason to believe the message now?
Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer answered that question this week and said he believes the sides are in a different place than they were a few weeks ago.
“I’d believe Maxx Crosby and the Raiders when they tell you they’re moving forward together,” Breer reported on Monday. “Las Vegas was never going to give Crosby away. And when teams tried to look for such a deal in calling the Raiders after last Tuesday’s physical fiasco, they heard as much.”
“Could someone come along and offer the ransom number for Crosby? Sure, but I don’t see that being likely,” Breer continued.
“That’s mostly because, now that it’s public knowledge that Crosby failed his physical, another coach or GM is going to be leery about taking anything near the sort of swing that Baltimore was initially prepared to take. Mostly because if you do, and then he breaks down in the next year or two, it becomes awfully hard to explain it to your owner.”
“Also, some of the fractured trust between Crosby and the Raiders was rebuilt organically last week, when the team showed the five-time Pro Bowler that it had his back, in reaching out and offering any help he needed after the Ravens backed out of the trade. Crosby likes new coach Klint Kubiak and GM John Spytek, and loves his old position coach Rob Leonard, who’s now his defensive coordinator. So it’s not as uncomfortable for him.”
Breer noted that the trade deadline (November 3) could be the next date to watch for a Crosby trade if he bounces back with a productive season and the Raiders still aren’t winning.
In other words, trade rumors around Crosby probably aren’t going anywhere until the NFL has a winner in Las Vegas.
x: @raidersbeat