Why Raiders, star DE Maxx Crosby are in desperate need of a divorce

Crosby, though, has seen this movie before. He's played in only one playoff game, a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals four years ago. From that point on, it's been a constant spin cycle of coaches and empty promises following the dismissal of Jon Gruden in the middle of 2021.

His upcoming knee surgery may complicate moving on, but the two sides are simply headed in different directions, and something has to give.

Trading Maxx Crosby would allow Las Vegas Raiders to acquire needed talent

Crosby is under contract on a three-year, $106.5 million deal he just signed last March, but back then, there was a belief the Raiders could win with the newly hired Carroll. With the Carroll experiment solidified as a failure, Crosby's massive contract is now a burden in Las Vegas' attempt to rebuild its roster. 

Unwilling to literally ask out in the past and then obviously willing to buy in when he signed a new deal last offseason, Crosby has shifted to sounding frustrated recently. 

"And just we’re back to the process again and trying to figure out whatever that’s gonna be. I wish [Carroll] the best," Crosby said after Carroll's firing, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

He's even voiced his displeasure about being shut down before the official end of the 2025 season as the Raiders had their eyes set on landing the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, a plan that was successful. 

“When it comes to football, there’s certain things that I truly believe in,” he said. “And I feel like there’s core principles that you gotta live by." 

Crosby is the only valuable piece the franchise has as it tries to add more talent. Trading Crosby, especially while he's still in his prime — he made 73 tackles in 15 games in 2025 — would provide a path to acquire proven talent for a team with holes at every position. 

Will the Raiders finally pull the trigger on a Crosby trade? Raiders general manager John Spytek left the door open.

“I love Maxx. He embodies what a Raider is. I’ve been pretty up front with that from the day I sat up here a year ago and I continue to believe that," said Spytek. 

Crosby may embody everything about being a true Raider in personality and style of play, but it's time the marriage that once seemed perfect on the surface experiences a divorce, one that's best for both parties.