The Raiders might not be trying to trade Maxx Crosby and Crosby might not be trying to be traded, but it does seem from the outside like Crosby is probably closing in on the final chapter of his career with the Raiders.
A few months ago, Crosby trade rumors were written off by some as “click bait” but in the wake of the botched trade with Baltimore, we learned that Crosby had “quietly” requested a trade from the Raiders at the end of the 2025 season.
Maybe things are different now between Crosby and the Raiders, but when it comes to a player like Crosby potentially being traded, no one benefits from the situation being advertised in advance.
Remember, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Browns told him they were “100 percent not trading Myles Garrett” just weeks before the Browns sent their All-Pro pass rusher to the Los Angeles Rams in June.
Crosby seems to have changed his stance on his future with the Raiders, but would the decision makers in Las Vegas really turn down an offer for Crosby similar to the one they received from the Ravens in March?
Earlier this week, the California Post’s Vinny Bonsignore seemed to reveal what the Raiders would be willing to take from 49ers for Crosby, and the way Bonsignore framed the report didn’t sound like a proposal he assembled on his own.
“Multiple league sources have told The California Post that the framework for a suitable offer would consist of a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and second-year edge rusher Mykel Williams,” Bonsignore wrote in his Sunday column.
“It’s an offer the 49ers would be wise to consider making. And situated with a league-leading $72,133,420 of cap space, they could easily absorb Crosby’s $30 million base salary for 2026.”
Bonsignore reiterated that the Raiders would absolutely revisit a Crosby trade if the right offer comes along.
“Trading Crosby would certainly cause short-term pain [for the Raiders]. But if they successfully cash in on the assets they get in return, they will not only expedite their rebuild but also greatly enhance it,” Bonsignore continued.
“That was the motivation when they traded Crosby to the Ravens, only for Baltimore to get cold feet over concerns with Crosby’s knee upon further inspection. The Ravens nixed the deal as a result. But don’t think for a minute the Raiders wouldn’t revisit a Crosby trade if the right offer was made.”
49ers insider says Raiders are asking too much for Crosby…
The Bonsignore report could have been off base (though it probably was not), but at least one Bay Area beat writer believes the cost of two premium picks and Mykel Williams for Crosby is too high.
Vic Tafur, who previously covered the Raiders for The Athletic, suggested on Thursday that the 49ers should wait and see what the cost would look like to acquire Crosby drops around the trade deadline.
From the 49ers’ standpoint, the problem with being patient is that they aren’t in a good position to compete with the Rams and Seahawks without a player like Crosby.
By all means wait until the trade deadline to get an All-Pro pass rusher, but by the time November rolls around the 49ers might already be buried behind the Rams and Seahawks in the NFC West.
And last but not least, there is this little nugget that popped up last month.
Who knows if it’s true, but is there a chance Crosby isn’t particularly excited about the idea of playing for the Raiders’ Bay Area rival?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
x: @raidersbeat