Maxx Crosby-Las Vegas Raiders Look To Be Headed Toward An Offseason Divorce
You know that feeling when a relationship has run its course? The texts get shorter, the awkward silences get longer, and suddenly you realize you’re just two different people wanting two different things. That is exactly where the Las Vegas Raiders and Maxx Crosby are right now.
It is becoming increasingly clear that one of the NFL’s grittiest, most relentless defenders is looking for an exit ramp out of “Sin City.” And honestly? You can’t really blame him. After the Raiders’ front office made the executive decision to shut him down for the final two games of the season, a move Crosby reportedly despised, the writing hasn’t just been on the wall; it’s been spray-painted in neon.
The Disconnect Between Winning and Rebuilding
Let’s be real for a second. Crosby is a Ferrari parked in a garage that is currently undergoing a massive, dusty renovation. The Raiders are pivoting toward a full-scale rebuild. They are eyeing Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as their quarterback of the future and bringing in Klint Kubiak to overhaul the offense. That is all great for the franchise’s long-term health, but Crosby doesn’t operate on “long-term.” He operates on “right now.”
At 28 years old, he is smack in the middle of his prime. He is coming off a season where, despite injuries and drama, he still racked up 10 sacks and lived in the opponent’s backfield. He wants a ring. The Raiders want draft capital and cap space. Those two timelines simply don’t match up.
Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer dropped a hammer on “Yahoo Sports Daily” recently, confirming what everyone has been whispering. When asked if Crosby was done in Vegas, Glazer didn’t hesitate: “I do.” He noted that the day the Raiders shut Crosby down, his phone blew up with calls from no less than 20 teams asking if the trade rumors were real.
The Motor City Connection
If Crosby gets his way, he might be trading the desert heat for the biting cold of Detroit. Sources have indicated that the Lions are his clear “first choice.” And if you think about it, does any player in the league fit the Dan Campbell ethos better than Crosby?
The Lions have built a culture on grit, knee-biting intensity, and relentless effort. Crosby is basically the physical embodiment of a Dan Campbell pre-game speech. Detroit has put together four consecutive winning seasons, the locker room is rock solid, and they are ready to win a Super Bowl immediately. Slotting Crosby opposite Aidan Hutchinson feels almost unfair to the rest of the NFC North.
The Vrabel Factor In New England
Just when you thought the Lions were a lock, a curveball appeared. Dianna Russini reported a fascinating nugget: privately, Crosby has told people he wants to play for Mike Vrabel.
With the Patriots heading to the Super Bowl under Vrabel, New England suddenly looks like a very attractive destination. Vrabel is a former player who demands toughness and accountability—two things Crosby has in spades. The Patriots have the cap space, the defensive culture, and apparently, the head coach that Crosby admires. It’s a compelling plot twist.
What Will a Trade Cost?
This won’t be cheap. If you want a generational pass rusher, you have to pay the premium. Glazer suggested the return for Crosby could eclipse what the Cowboys got for Micah Parsons (which was two first-rounders and a player).
The Raiders hold the cards here. Crosby is under contract through a massive $106.5 million extension he signed back in March. But trading him frees up about $30 million in cap space for Las Vegas, which is crucial for a team trying to build around a rookie quarterback.
It’s going to be a messy divorce, but it feels inevitable. The Raiders need assets for tomorrow; Crosby needs wins for today. Whether he lands in Detroit, New England, or somewhere else, one thing is certain: whoever gets him is getting a player who is absolutely desperate to prove he can win on the big stage.
