Is a trade for Maxx Crosby going to happen before the start of the new league year?
Trade rumors around Crosby have picked up since the NFL Combine and most seem to believe the odds are increasing that he is going to be traded.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest dynamics around the Raiders and their All-Pro pass rusher, who may or may not be on the trade block.
Teams interested in Crosby want answers sooner, not later
There have been rumors that a deal for Crosby could be agree to before the start of the new league year (within the next few days) and based on a report from Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer, it is some of the teams interested in Crosby that have set that timeline.
“Some pursuing teams would like closure this week – so they can plan better going forward,” Breer tweeted on Wednesday.
What that means is teams other than the Raiders are trying to create a timeline to trade Crosby and it’s possible the Raiders aren’t going to want to play by that timeline.
Are the Raiders reaching a point of no return on Crosby?
As media personalities close to the team have downplayed trade rumors around Crosby, the trade noise is louder than it’s ever been.
There has been a lot that’s been said and done that hasn’t been reported on Crosby, and it’s fair to wonder if both sides are reaching a point where they are ready to move on.
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Raiders and Crosby essentially got together and announced that he wasn’t being traded. They haven’t done that this time and it’s fair to wonder if the Raiders and Crosby are moving closer to a point of no return.
If they believe they might trade him, the Raiders best option is to stay quiet
Trade negotiations are all about leverage.
The Raiders have to create the impression that Crosby is in their plans for the future, even if they are hoping to trade him.
The national media hasn’t been carrying the water on that narrative, but that’s the message the Raiders and everyone in their building have been putting out. And understandably so.
Of course the Raiders don’t want to lose their best player in the prime of his career, but there’s a human element involved and if Crosby’s time has run its course in Oakland and Las Vegas, trading him might be the best move for everyone involved.
If they trade Crosby, what will the Raiders ultimately get for him?
It seems like everyone wants to give the Raiders a first-round pick and a player for Crosby, but the consensus seems to be that the Raiders would rather keep him than accept an offer like that.
With so many teams known to be interested in Crosby (why aren’t more people talking about the Rams?), chances are good that a team is going to stretch their offer closer to what the Raiders are looking for.
A CBS report on Wednesday pointed to the Bears and Cowboys as two teams pushing hard for Crosby and there’s a lot to like about both of those opportunities.
The Bears believe they are a pass rusher away from a Super Bowl and it has been rumored that Chicago is Crosby’s preferred trade destination. The Cowboys have an owner who wants to win now and might be inclined to throw a huge offer at the Raiders in the days ahead.
Where will Crosby play next year?
For entertainment purposes only, let’s make a prediction.
The Bears, Cowboys and Rams are all capable of making an aggressive move for Crosby. All three organizations have decision makers at the top with tremendous job security.
But no one in the NFL has a figure at the top like Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys tried to acquire Crosby at the trade deadline, and they are back at the negotiating table again. The Bears might be the favorite to land Crosby but look for Jones to swoop in at the 11th hour (whenever that happens to be) and get a deal done for Crosby.
x: @raidersbeat