Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is currently committed to the team, but that stance could shift if the Raiders experience a significant losing streak, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Crosby, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, publicly recommitted to the Raiders after an offseason trade to the Baltimore Ravens fell through due to concerns over his surgically repaired knee. "He's the face of the franchise, one of the faces of the franchise, and beloved down in Vegas, as he should be," Schefter said on his podcast.
However, Schefter cautioned that this commitment might not be permanent. "What if the Raiders aren't winning regularly?" he posited. "What if the Raiders are 1-5, 2-6, and we're coming up to the trade deadline in the first week in November and there's a team out there that can use a pass rusher?"
If such a scenario unfolds and Crosby demonstrates his knee is healthy and he is performing at his usual high level, trade discussions could potentially resurface. "I think that's when the trade potentially could come back into play," Schefter stated. "That's when it might be time to start paying attention."
Crosby's on-field impact is substantial. Over the past four seasons, he ranks sixth among edge rushers in total pressures with 271 and sixth in sacks with 44.5. He has also recorded 297 tackles from 2022 through 2025, the most among elite edge defenders in that group, and his 90 tackles for loss ranked second. Last season, he finished with 10 sacks, 73 tackles, and 28 tackles for loss.
His value was underscored by the collapsed Ravens trade, which would have sent two first-round picks to Las Vegas. A strong start to the 2026 season could alleviate medical concerns and restore his significant trade value. Potential suitors could include teams like the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers, all of whom have a need for pass-rushing assistance.
Any acquiring team would face a considerable cost, as Crosby is set to earn approximately $30 million this season. The Raiders have previously indicated they view him as an asset worth multiple first-round draft picks. This high price tag becomes more justifiable for a contender in November, when the impact of an elite pass rusher on championship hopes is clearer.
For the Raiders, the decision involves weighing the preservation of their emotional leader against the potential to accelerate a rebuild with valuable draft capital, particularly if playoff hopes have faded. While Crosby currently expresses a desire to remain with the Raiders, a poor team performance could lead to renewed trade negotiations by the deadline.