The Raiders have found their next head coach, and when Klint Kubiak can finally take the job in Las Vegas it looks like his first bump in the road is going to involve his star pass rusher.
FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer reported on Wednesday that Maxx Crosby is not interested in another rebuild and said he thinks the All-Pro pass rusher will be traded by the draft.
Since Kubiak is not tied to the Raiders until he officially signs his contract after the Super Bowl, the idea has been floated that he might not be as interested in the Raiders’ job if Crosby isn’t part of the future.
It’s only speculation as Kubiak hasn’t given any indication he wouldn’t want the Raiders’ job without Crosby in the mix, but it led to an interesting comment from Yahoo Sports host Jason Fitz, who was the co-host of Yahoo Sports Daily when Glazer dropped the news on Crosby.
Fitz said he doesn’t think Crosby’s status will affect Kubiak’s view of the job and that the greater draw to the Raiders’ job is the no. 1 pick in the draft.
“From what I was told from other insiders around the league, the one thing that every single coaching candidate was asked was what their plan would be for Fernando Mendoza,” Fitz said on Raider Nation Radio’s Unnecessary Roughness with Q Myers.
“I’ve been told that specifically by two different people. I think the entire process of the roster building and tee quarterback situation meant more to the initial acceptance of the job than Maxx Crosby did. That’s all love for Maxx. I think the reason the reason you do or don’t take the Browns job isn’t because of Myles Garrett. It’s because you do or don’t think you have a plan that could get you to a quarterback. I think the Raiders made it clear that their plan is Fernando.”
Fitz said he has reached out to Crosby, who he considers a friend, but has not heard back since Glazer’s report on Wednesday.
If Crosby were interested in disputing any of Wednesday’s news, he has multiple platforms and resources to be able to do so, including a podcast of his own.
And with that thought, if he chooses to remain silent everywhere else, do you suppose Crosby’s next podcast will gain a few additional listeners?
For anyone who missed, here are a few of Glazer’s comments to Fitz from Wednesday…
“When that happened, I remember Ian Rapoport, the team went to him and said ‘We’re going to do right by him. We’re going to shut him down and really going to protect him from him,’” Glazer recalled about the Raiders’ decision to end Crosby’s season with a knee injury.
“And then Maxx is on the other line going ‘Man, screw these guys. They’re shutting me down. I am not about this. Hell, no. I’m not doing it. I left the facility. I’m out. I want to get traded. I’m done.’ I was kind of trying to talk [Maxx] off a ledge,” Glazer continued.
“I went to the GM, John Spytek, and I’m like, ‘Spy, you’ve got to understand. There’s a couple guys, if they tell you they’re playing, they’re playing. It’s not open for discussion. They’re playing. There’s certain guys they need it. For a guy like Maxx, he’s an addict… he needs structure. You can’t do that to him, so I want you guys, you can still go for the first pick, but it can’t involve him.”
Asked by Fitz what the trade return would be for Crosby, Glazer said it’s going to be a massive haul the Raiders can get.
“Probably more than Micah [Parsons],” Glazer said.
“The day it happened, no less than 20 teams called me and they asked ‘Dude, is this real? Can we get him? What’s it for?’ I’m like ‘We’re not there yet, but yes, it’s real.’”
x: @raidersbeat
THE REAL QUESTION THIS OFF SEASON IS WILL WE SPEND THE MONEY
Wonderful we got Kubiak and “F.M.” is fixing to go live in stereo. The real question is does Spytek know what he is doing? This is the Raiders and you have to give allowances to certain personalities when they are as dedicated as Crobsy and that has always been our culture. Crosby is more than his number man, he is a Team Captain and one of the few last Oakland Ra1ders. Crosby is a true leader by example and perhaps a future Hall of Famer. We will see if Spytek is willing to spend the money or if he is going to go cheap like last year. All bets are off with this team if the don’t get busy in free agency, this is the real test this off season. If the Raiders don’t buy a line and fill every need we have, they are no longer comitted to excellence and wining. (Where your heart is your treasure is also.) If the Raiders love money more than their players and winning than every thing in Silver and Black is a waste of time and a moot point. Right up to three year ago we spent they money, but all eyes are on this team now to see if they are still committed or if they have just become a minor league team to develop talent for other teams.
WEST SIDE
RN
SINCE 1974
I’ve been a raider fan since the 60s. I completely agree with your analysis of what’s going on. This is SPY’S chance to be a true raider! Bring back the MADDEN days and all that goes with it…MYSTIQUE, LEGENDS, WINNING, GOLD JACKETS, INTIMIDATION!!!
There is nothing in our history of successfully handling a rebuild. I don’t trust Spytec and, especially, Brady
I can believe this because the same thing happened in Cleveland during their coaching search. They asked the candidates what would be their plan to further develop Shedeur Sanders? Todd Monken had the best answers. Same with Klint Kubiak. He had better answers than Mike McDaniel and Davis Webb regarding Mendoza. Good luck Raiders