Maxx Crosby loves 'being doubted' amid Raiders' losing streak, trade rumors

A recent report suggested that the Las Vegas Raiders could part ways with star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby if they received two first-round draft picks for his services ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline. 

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Crosby made it clear he isn't thinking about such things as the 3-4 Raiders prepare to play at the 2-5 New York Jets this coming Sunday afternoon.

Maxx Crosby playing "to win" amid ongoing trade rumors

"You play to win," Crosby said, as shared by Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "We’re playing to try to make the playoffs and win. That’s what we do. I try not to pay attention to it. I feel like it’s probably the least amount of attention I pay to all the outside noise. But negativity is just how our world operates these days, and that’s what sells."

In March, the Baltimore Ravens were willing to send the Raiders a pair of first-round draft picks for Crosby before the Ravens backed out of that trade due to concerns related to the meniscus repair he needed following the 2025 season. Crosby later made it known throughout the summer that he wanted to stay put, and the Raiders then opened the campaign with three straight wins. 

However, the Raiders' four-game losing streak sparked new questions about when first-year head coach Klint Kubiak could bench quarterback Kirk Cousins to give rookie Fernando Mendoza starts. Las Vegas allegedly wants to sit Mendoza through the club's Week 13 bye, but such plans presumably could change if the Raiders lose at the lowly Jets. 

"If you want to be negative and not believe, then stay over there," Crosby continued. "Stay on that side because I know when things turn around or when you win, all those tough people just disappear, and then they come back when it’s convenient. But that’s just what life is like. That’s how the world is, unfortunately."

Maxx Crosby challenges Raiders players to remain "optimistic" despite recent struggles

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Raiders as 1.5-point underdogs against a Jets team that possibly could fire its head coach on Monday if it falls to 2-6. That line says plenty about how certain insiders view the Las Vegas roster amid the team's skid.

"I know these guys in the locker room want to win so bad, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be optimistic," Crosby said. "You have to be optimistic [and] you have to love this game and put everything into it, even when everybody is against you, and everyone thinks it’s the same old story. You have to go win, and that’s how you shut everybody up. So I love being doubted. I’ve been doubted my whole life, so keep it coming. I appreciate that. You just make it a bigger monster. I know this locker room is the same way. We’re all extremely motivated, and I know guys are ready to go out there and shut everybody up." 

From this past winter through late October, rumors have linked Crosby with the Dallas Cowboys. While Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said as recently as this past Tuesday that it's "unlikely" he will complete a blockbuster trade before the deadline, chatter about Jones making a move for Crosby may grow louder if the Raiders fall to the Jets.