Exclusive: Maxx Crosby Declares He’ll Never Play for Raiders Again, Sets Up Offseason Standoff

The Las Vegas Raiders and superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby, by far the premier player on their roster, are headed for an offseason showdown with the veteran explicitly informing the team he has no intentions of ever playing for them again, but with it unclear to other NFL teams if or when the Raiders will comply.

Crosby's representatives have begun informing high-ranking officials from other NFL teams that the All Pro, livid over being asked to sit out the end of the regular season despite believing he was healthy enough to play, will never suit up for the Raiders again and is intent on playing elsewhere in 2026. 

However, those same executives, along with others involved in the market for top pass rushers, are not thoroughly convinced that the Raiders will adhere to Crosby's request and believe the team could ask for more in return for him than other clubs will be willing to part with.

"He told (Raiders owner and future Hall of Fame quarterback) Tom Brady he will never play for the Raiders again," said one NFL general manager who would have interest in trading for Crosby. 

"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. (Browns pass rusher) Myles Garrett said the same thing last year, and we know how that ended up."

Garrett got a massive new contract from the Browns. 

Will Raiders Meet Crosby's Demand? 

Crosby, 28, is perhaps one of the ten most impactful players in the NFL, regardless of position, and will surely be the most accomplished player on the trade market this winter. 

But as one agent who represents several top free agents in the upcoming market put it, an agent who also engineered the exit of star players via trade himself in the past, the Raiders are rebuilding again, have a painfully this roster already, and are not inclined to move Crosby. 

"It's tough to tell Tom Brady what he has to do," as the agent put it. 

"I've done some sniffing around, and I know it's early, but I don't think the Raiders want to move him. Maybe I'll end up looking stupid for telling you this, but I don't think they move him."

A second general manager, also aware of Crosby's trade demand, said he believes that Brady could possibly build some sort of bridge to his best player. 

"Someone is going to offer them two one (first-round picks), but I don't think they jump at it," the GM said. "I think you are going to have to really knock them over."

In other related news, Jim Schwartz has left the Browns and could be set to join the Raiders, joining the flurry of recent NFL coaching moves.

Other Options

The market for elite pass rushers is very limited this offseason. 

Bengals standout Trey Hendrickson is coming off an injury-marred season but still is best positioned to land a big contract. 

"I don't think he gets $30M a year, but he's the top guy," the first GM said. 

Chargers edge rushers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh will also be in demand; several league sources indicated the Chargers will be active trying to retain at least one of them, with Baltimore, under new head coach Jesse Minter (who ran the Chargers defense the last two years), also expected to heavily pursue them.

As for teams who would be inclined to acquire Crosby, several executives suggested the Eagles, Bills, Seahawks, Bears and 49ers as teams poised to make a pitch. The Chiefs would also have interest, but the odds of the Raiders dealing him to their arch rivals was seen as bleak.