The Las Vegas Raiders fell to 2-6 in Week 8 after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders currently sit in last place in the AFC West, appear highly unlikely to make a postseason run, and have already traded wide receiver Davante Adams to the New York Jets.
As the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline approaches, let’s answer the most pressing question on every Raiders fan’s mind: Will Las Vegas move superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby?
Mark Davis Says Raiders Won’t Trade Maxx Crosby
If the Raiders ever traded Crosby, the required NFL Draft pick compensation going back to Las Vegas would be massive.
Crosby is still only 27 years old and has two second-team All-Pros and three Pro Bowls on his résumé. Since 2022, Crosby ranks first among all defenders in tackles for loss (55) and second in sacks (34) and quarterback hits (78).
However, the Raiders don’t appear inclined to trade Crosby in 2024.
In an Oct. 26 email to ESPN, team owner Mark Davis vehemently indicated that Crosby would not be dealt either this season or in 2025.
“We’re Not Trading Maxx Crosby,” Davis wrote. “Before Or After The Trade Deadline!!!”
In mid-October, Davis told The Athletic that Crosby wasn’t going anywhere.
“It’s unfortunate today, but there’s so much outside chatter that is not true,” Davis said. “It’s not coming from any sources. It’s not coming from anything. My basic thing is never to answer all that stuff because, otherwise, you get trapped in this black hole. It’s just not happening.”
On Oct. 17, Crosby told reporters he was not interested in playing through a Raiders teardown effort.
“I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win,” Crosby said. “So, you know, I don’t know. Whatever that means, but yeah, I’m here to win now. And wherever I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be here to win. So that’s all that matters to me.”
A few days later, though, Crosby changed his tune. On Oct. 22, Crosby reiterated on his podcast that he wants to stay in Las Vegas.
MAXX CROSBY addresses TRADE RUMORS on his podcast, @TheRushWithMaxx:
“I’m not trynna leave…I wanna be here, I wanna be silver & black. I’ll say it loud and f*in clear, I wanna be a Raider.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/HKL6OJkZjT
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) October 22, 2024
“I’m not trying to leave,” Crosby said. “I know it’s a f—ing business … I don’t have 100% control. But, like, I wanna be here. I wanna be in silver and black. I’ll say it loud and f—ing clear. I wanna be a Raider.”
Rival teams reportedly inquired about Crosby’s availability at the 2023 NFL trade deadline. However, according to NFL Network, those interested clubs were met with an “emphatic no.”
Crosby’s Contract Details
Crosby inked a four-year, $94 million extension with the Raiders on March 11, 2022, that contained $26.515 million in fully guaranteed money. His $23.5 million annual average value makes him the NFL’s ninth-highest-paid edge defender, sandwiched between the Green Bay Packers’ Rashan Gary and the Miami Dolphins’ Bradley Chubb.
Las Vegas reworked Crosby’s contract entering the 2024 campaign. The Raiders moved $6 million of his future earnings into the 2024 season and shifted another $1.2 million into 2025.
What would Crosby’s contract look like if Vegas traded him during the 2025 offseason?
An acquiring team would have Crosby under contract through 2026 for $42.84 million. Crosby would likely request an extension upon being traded, but landing a pass rusher of his caliber at just $21 million annually would represent an incredible bargain.
Assuming a Crosby trade occurred before June 1, 2025, the Raiders would absorb $15.3 million in dead money by trading their best player. Moving Crosby would open up $15.2 million in 2025 salary cap space.
Of course, Davis says Las Vegas won’t move Crosby next offseason. If the star pass rusher is still in Silver and Black in the spring, he may be in a position to ask for a new deal.
Crosby could use the Raiders’ unwillingness to trade him as leverage in contract negotiations. In other words, if Las Vegas is so intent on refusing trade offers for Crosby, he might be worth more than he’s earning.