Raiders GM leaves open possibility of trading Maxx Crosby

The Las Vegas Raiders are making big changes this offseason, and it's unclear if star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby will be on the team by April's draft. 

On Monday, the Raiders fired head coach Pete Carroll after finishing 3-14 in his only season in Las Vegas. The new head coach will inherit the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, and the Raiders are expected to draft either quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Indiana or Dante Moore from Oregon.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggested last week that the Raiders could trade Crosby as the team rebuilds in the offseason. 

On Monday, Raiders general manager John Spytek was asked during his news conference if he thought Crosby was "untouchable" this offseason. Spytek's answer was telling. He praised the player but didn't say Las Vegas would keep him in 2026.

“I have a lot of respect for Maxx and how much he loves to play the game,” Spytek said, via Pro Football Talk. “I’ve had the opportunity the last several weeks to spend a lot of time with Maxx. I think it’s been well documented that he didn’t love the idea of not playing football and I think you always want that from your best players. 

"In fact, I think that’s why they’re your best players. So, I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is. I’ve been pretty upfront about that from the day I sat up here almost a year ago and I continue to believe that."

Maxx Crosby should seek a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders

Crosby, 28, recorded 10 sacks this season. He was upset when the Raiders placed him on injured reserve before Week 17 to end his season.

While Crosby has remained loyal since the Raiders selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, it could be in his best interest to seek a trade in the offseason if he wants to compete for championships in the prime of his career. 

Crosby is an impact player, but his efforts have been wasted on a Raiders team that isn't a contender for the AFC. In a stacked AFC West, it could be a few seasons before Las Vegas will compete for the divisional crown. And his postseason hopes would rest on the Raiders picking the right young quarterback in a weak draft class for the position.