In the latest edition of “The Rush With Maxx Crosby,” the Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher sat down with NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The pair discussed Schultz’s public falling out with fellow insider Ian Rapoport, the 2025 NFL Draft, and Crosby’s ideal quarterback signing.
Raiders Need a Quarterback: 2025 Draft Class Not the Place to Look
Among the topics discussed in the podcast was the Raiders’ need for a quarterback. Since parting ways with Derek Carr after nine seasons, Las Vegas has struggled to find a replacement. Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder have all had an opportunity to win the job full-time, but all have failed to impress.
Schultz addressed the offseason quarterback market in 2025 and pointed out the differences between the 2025 market and that of the previous year.
“Last year’s quarterback class was out of control. I mean we had, obviously Maye and Daniels and Caleb [Williams] and Nix, McCarthy, Penix. You had, just a slew of really high-level dudes. This year doesn’t have quite the same depth.
But what this year does have, I would say, is excellent, excellent running backs, top – super high-end running backs. Good receivers, good D-line, and maybe the best group of tight ends that anybody’s ever seen.”
Crosby Wants Aaron Rodgers in Las Vegas
The conversation later moved on to the free agent quarterback market, after Crosby asked Schultz for his take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Schultz stated that he believed Sam Darnold to be the best quarterback available after his impressive season in Minnesota, and mentioned the Raiders as a potential landing spot.
“The best quarterback left, by far, is Sam Darnold. I mean, considering the year he had – and I’ll tell you, Maxx, this probably isn’t news to you, I don’t know, but the Raiders are absolutely a team to watch for Sam Darnold.”
Schultz was then asked about his expectations for Aaron Rodgers after the future Hall of Famer was released by the Jets.
I think, with Aaron, I think he wants to be in a place – if he is going to play, and I don’t know 100% if he is, I don’t think anyone does. But if he were to play football, I think he wants to go to a place that has a competitive roster, that has structure, and that has synergy.”
When Schultz went on to point out that Rodgers played his best football at the end of the 2024 season, Crosby agreed.
“Yeah, I think that’s the thing that people are sleeping on with Aaron Rodgers because I know the competitor. He’s an ultra-competitive human being. The first year after an Achilles is one of the hardest things to do.
I think with all the doubt, all the negativity around Aaron Rodgers, ‘Oh, he needs to retire,’ things like that, he’s getting cut by the Jets, I think he’s going to come back and have a — I know he’s 42 or 41, but I think he’s going to have a big year this year, and I hope it’s in our town. That would be legendary.
I think this year, fully healthy, full offseason, my prediction is he’s going to have a great year.”
It’s clear that Crosby has huge respect for the former Green Bay Packer, and the Raiders might just be the perfect fit for the 2010 Super Bowl winner.