Why the Raiders Should Not Trade Maxx Crosby

Trade speculation has followed Maxx Crosby throughout the offseason. The Raiders hold the first overall pick and appear headed toward another roster reset, which has fueled the idea that moving their best player for draft capital would accelerate a rebuild.

Las Vegas is also widely expected to select Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving the franchise a new quarterback to build around. That reality has only intensified the conversation about whether the Raiders should trade Crosby now and reshape the roster around a younger timeline.

On paper, the argument sounds logical. Crosby turns 29 next summer, the Raiders are starting over again, and the return for an elite pass rusher could be massive. Teams around the league would line up with offers if Las Vegas truly made him available.

But theories do not always match in the NFL. Trading Crosby might bring draft picks, yet it would also remove the most proven piece of the roster at a time when the franchise needs stability more than ever.

Elite Pass Rushers Are the Hardest Players to Replace

The NFL is always searching for pass rushers. Teams draft them early every year and still struggle to find consistent ones. Crosby is already that player.

He has produced at an elite level in Las Vegas despite the team’s struggles. Crosby has recorded double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons, earned AP All-Pro honors in both of those years, and has twice led the league in tackles for loss. His motor and durability have also made him one of the most active defensive linemen in football, regularly logging more snaps than most players at the position.

Those numbers become even more impressive when viewed alongside the Raiders’ record. Las Vegas has reached the playoffs only once during Crosby’s tenure and has lost 27 games over the past two seasons combined. Even through that instability, Crosby’s production has remained constant.

He is also under contract on a four-year, $106.5 million extension, meaning any team attempting to acquire him would need to send significant draft capital in return and be prepared to pay Crosby new money.

Teams like the Chicago Bears have made similar swings before. A previous Chicago regime once traded multiple high draft picks for Khalil Mack in an attempt to reshape the defense around a young core. The appeal of adding a player of Crosby’s caliber is obvious.

But that same logic also explains why the Raiders should keep him. Proven elite pass rushers are rare. Trading one away only creates another problem the franchise would eventually need to solve.

A Rookie Quarterback Needs Cornerstone Players

If the Raiders select Mendoza with the top pick, the focus will immediately shift to building an environment that supports the rookie quarterback’s development. That process becomes harder when the roster loses its best player.

A young quarterback benefits from having established leaders around him. Crosby sets the tone for the entire defense with his effort and competitiveness. Removing that presence during a rebuild sends the wrong message to a locker room that already has few established stars.

Raiders general manager John Spytek acknowledged the importance of elite talent at the combine when he said it is difficult to build a great team without elite players. Crosby is exactly that. Keeping him gives the Raiders a foundational piece while the rest of the roster develops.

A Change of Scenery Doesn’t Guarantee Success

Some of the speculation around Crosby centers on the idea that he deserves a chance to play for a contender. Teams such as the Chicago Bears or New England Patriots have been mentioned as possible destinations because they have young quarterbacks on rookie deals and appear to be trending upward.

But success in the NFL is rarely that predictable.

The Washington Commanders provide a recent reminder. In 2024, they reached the NFC Championship Game and looked poised to take the next step. The following offseason, they traded for veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel in an effort to push the roster over the hump.

A year later, the season unraveled. Injuries hit throughout the roster, Samuel struggled to replicate his previous productio,n and Washington finished 5-12.

Momentum can disappear quickly in this league. What looks like a contender today can become a rebuilding team tomorrow. The same is true in the other direction. With a potential franchise quarterback arriving in Mendoza and a new head coach in place, the Raiders could improve faster than many expect.

Trading Crosby would remove the player most capable of leading that turnaround.