Why Raiders should not trade star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby

It appears it is not a safe bet that star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby will return to the Las Vegas Raiders after a report surfaced on Feb. 9 that his status with the team is "up in the air." 

That is not good news for fans hoping to see Crosby back at Allegiant Stadium next season in Silver and Black colors. But it also doesn't mean it's the end for Crosby with the Raiders. Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network said Crosby, along with Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys, could be asking for "massive contract extensions" amid new coaching staffs. 

"Crosby has said before he wants to be a "Raider for life" and has been loyal to the organization. He also has been open about his frustrations with the team's seemingly endless string of changes and mounting losses. Crosby wants to win and be a big reason behind the success. While the hiring of Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll was a step toward stability, the Raiders still don't have a franchise quarterback and have a ton of work to do to field a competitive roster. Trading Crosby for a bounty of picks would be one way to expedite that process, and Crosby might welcome the change, particularly if it's to a playoff team where he knows people (e.g. Green Bay). Crosby has two years and about $44 million remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2022," Pelissero and Rapoport noted. 

With that said, the Raiders are slated to pick No. 6 in the 2025 NFL Draft with two quarterbacks expected to go earlier in the draft. Cam Ward of the University of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado could be drafted before the Raiders make their pick. The Raiders could, theoretically, trade up to get one of those QBs, but will it be worth it considering Crosby is in his prime and there will be other QBs available in the draft and free agency?

The four-time Pro Bowler made his presence known when Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek met with the media in January. Crosby observed from the back and got to mingle with Carroll. Crosby said later that for the first time, he felt the team could be headed in the right direction since he joined it in 2019.

There are plenty of options for the Raiders, but trading Crosby is not one of them. The organization once saw one of its pass-rushers traded away during his prime when Khalil Mack was dealt to the Chicago Bears in 2018. Crosby is one of the NFL's top pass-rushers with 59.5 sacks and 144 quarterback hits in his six-year career.

Crosby's contract is set to expire in 2027, but that is more than enough time for the Raiders to improve this season by adding players through free agency and the NFL Draft and convince their star that they're headed in the right direction. After all, Crosby wants to win with the Raiders and the team should recognize that and help him out in the offseason.

Carroll knew the importance of having a good pass-rusher when he had a then-29-year-old Chris Clemons in his first season as a head coach with the Seahawks. Clemons finished with 11 sacks.

Trading away Crosby could be a bad move that could haunt the franchise.