Raiders’ Star DE Maxx Crosby Recommits Amid Trade Drama, GMs Expect Monster Season

Future Hall of Famer Maxx Crosby is back in Las Vegas and training for the 2026 season he now expects to spend with the Raiders after the Ravens pulled out of a verbally agreed up trade last week. 

With Las Vegas unlikely now to get an offer as robust as Baltimore’s (two first-round selections including No. 14 in the upcoming draft), and Crosby recommitting to Las Vegas after originally requesting a trade, it’s looking increasingly likely to general managers that he stays with the only franchise he has ever played for. 

While the Ravens withdrew from the trade for alleged medical reasons, there is a strong sense among executives who had interest in Crosby that the player will continue to flourish as one of the more dominant and well-rounded defensive ends in the NFL.

What’s The Market For Crosby Now?

League sources maintained that several clubs monitored the availability of Crosby in the direct aftermath of the trade agreement crumbling, and did not sense a truly motivated seller.

“They were still trying to get their head around what happened,” said one general manager who was involved in the pursuit of the player. 

“And then Crosby comes out (on social media) and says he’s a Raider again. They’re in a weird spot.”

Indeed. The Ravens decision certainly diminished Crosby’s trade value, and with him unlikely to be able to clear a full physical until much later in the spring, the expectation is serious talks are on hold until perhaps right around the draft at the end of April. 

Even then, given what both sides have been through and Cosby’s unparalleled popularity with Raiders fans and him now publicly recommitted to the team after previously issues a private trade demand, there would be a lot to sort through.

“My gut, I think he’s a Raider,” said another NFL general manager. 

Las Vegas has made major upgrades to its roster and will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first-overall pick in an attempt to land a true franchise quarterback for the first time in decades. 

Crosby has exceptional leadership skills, is a great fit in their locker room and is accustomed to doing his part on rebuilding teams. He also badly wanted to play through the knee injury that eventually required a surgical procedure, and was at odds with the Raiders for keeping out of those games (they were trying to secure rights to the first-overall pick).

“We didn’t think at this age he was worth two ones (first-round picks),” said the first general manager. 

“But he’s going to kick ass for you. This guy never wants to come off the field and he’s more motivated now than ever.”

Another longtime personnel exec said: ‘I don’t care where he plays, after all of this shit, Maxx Crosby is going to have a monster season.”